Heterocyclic amides and leucotriene antagonistic use thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a series of novel heterocyclic amides of the formula I in which the group A; CRa can be --CRb═CRa--, --CHRb--CHRa-- or --N═CRa--, the amidic group Re.L can be Rd.X.CO.NH, Re.X.CS.NH or Re.NH.CO attached to position 4, 5 or 6 of the benzenoid moiety, z is an acid group selected from the group consisting of carboxy, an acylsulphonamide residue of the formula CO.NH.SO n  Rg and a tetrazolyl residue of the formula II and the radicals Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg, Rh, n, X, G 1 ,Q and G 2  have the meanings defined in the following specification. 
     The compounds of formula I are leukotriene antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the formula I compounds; pharmaceutical compositions containing the formula I compounds, or their salts, for use in the treatment of, for example, allergic or inflammatory diseases, or endotoxic or traumatic shock conditions; and processes for the manufacture of the formula I compounds, as well as intermediates for use in such manufacture.

This is a divisional of co-pending application Ser. No. 06/788,807 filedon Oct. 18, 1985 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,844.

This invention concerns novel heterocyclic amides and, moreparticularly, novel amidoindole and amidoindazole derivatives whichantagonise the pharmacological actions of the one or more of thearachidonic acid metabolites known as leukotrienes (hereafter referredto as "luekotriene antagonist properties".) The novel derivatives areuseful when it is desired to antagonise one or more of the actions ofthe leukotrienes in vitro or in vivo, for example in the treatment ofthose diseases in which leukotrienes are implicated, such as in thetreatment of allergic or inflammatory diseases, or endotoxic ortraumatic shock conditions. The invention also provides pharmaceuticalcompositions containing the novel derivatives for use in such treatmentsand intermediates and processes for the manufacture of the novelderivatives.

In European patent applications, publication numbers 54417A1 and80154A2, there are described a series of 3-(pyridylmethyl)indoles and 2-(pyridyl)indoles, respectively, both containing an acidic side-chain atthe N(1) position and which are selective inhibitors of the enzymethromboxane synthetase. We have now discovered a series of indole andindazole derivatives which have an amidic substituent in the benzenoidring and which unexpectedly possess the property of antagonising one ormore of the arachadonic acid metabolites known as leukotrienes and thisis the basis for our invention.

According to the invention there is provided an amidic compound of theformula I (as set out hereinafter) wherein:

the group A CRa is selected from diradicals of the formula: --CRb═CRa--,--CHRb--CHRa and --N═CRa-- in which Ra is hydrogen, methyl, halogeno,(2-6C)alkanoyl, (2-6C)alkenyl or (2-6C)alkyl, the latter two of whichmay optionally bear a carboxy or [(1-4C)alkoxy] carbonyl substituent,and Rb is hydrogen or (1-4C)alkyl; or Ra and Rb together formtetramethylene optionally bearing 1 or 2 (1-4C)alkyl substituents andoptionally containing 1or 2 unsaturated linkages;

Rc, Rd and Rf are independently selected from hydrogen, halogeno,(1-4C)alkyl and (1-4C)alkoxy;

the group Rd.L stands for amidic radicals of the formula: Re.X.CO.NH--,Re.X.CS.NH-- or Re.NH.CO-- attached at position 4, 5 or 6 of thebenzenoid moiety shown in formula I hereinafter, and in which Re is(2-10C)alkyl optionally containing 1 or move fluorine substituents, oris (3-10C)alkenyl or (3-10C)alkynyl; or Re is phenyl, phenyl-(1-6C)alkylor thienyl-(1-6C)alkyl, in which the (1-6C)alkyl moiety may optionallybear a (1-4C)alkoxy, (3-6C)cycloalkyl or phenyl substituent and in whicha phenyl or thienyl moiety may optionally bear 1 or 2 substituentsselected from halogeno, (1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy and trifluoromethyl;or Re is (3-8C)cycloalkyl, (3-8C)cycloalkyl-(1-6C)alkyl or(4-6C)oxyheterocyclyl, the cyclic moiety of any of which optionally maycontain one unsaturated linkage or may bear 1 or 2 (1-4C)alkylsubstitutents or a phenyl substituent, the latter itself optionallybearing a halogeno, (1-4C)alkyl, (1-4 C)alkoxy or trifluoromethylsubstituent; X is oxy, thio, imino or a direct link to Re;

Q is a direct link to G¹, or is oxy, thio, m-phenylene, p-phenylene orheteroarylene;

G¹ is (1-8C)alkylene or (2-6C)alkenylene;

G² is methylene, vinylene or a direct link to z; and

z is an acidic group selected from the group consisting of carboxy, anacylsulphonamide residue of the formula --CO.NH.SO_(n) Rg and atetrazolyl residue of the formula II set out hereinafter, in which n isthe integer 1 or 2 , Rg is (1-6C)alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl,aryl-(1-4C)alkyl, in any of which the aromatic or heteroaromatic moietymay bear 1 or 2 substituents selected from halogeno, (1-4C)alkyl,(1-4C)alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, nitro and amino, and Rh is hydrogen,carboxy-(1-3C)alkyl or (carboxyphenyl)methyl; provided that G¹, Q and G²taken together contain at least 3 carbon atoms and that G² is methyleneor vinylene when Q is oxy or thio and z is carboxy;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

It will be appreciated that certain of the compounds of formula I, forexample those wherein Re contains an asymmetrically substituted carbonatom, may exist in, and be isolated, in, optically-active and racemicforms. In addition, it will be appreciated that certain compounds offormula I, for example those wherein Re, Ra or the linkage --G¹.Q.G² --contains a vinylene group, exist in, and may be isolated in, separatestereoisomeric forms (`E` and `Z`) about that group, It is to beunderstood that the present invention encompasses any racemic,optically-active or stereoisomeric form, or mixtures thereof, which formpossesses leukotriene antagonist properties, it being well know in theart how to prepare optically-active forms (for example by resolution ofthe racemic form of by synthesis from optically-active startingmaterials) and to prepare individual `E` and `Z` stereoisomers (forexample by chromatographic separation of a mixture thereof) and how todetermine the luekotriene antagonist properties by the standard testsdescribed hereinafter.

In this specification Ra, Rb, Re et cetera stand for generic radicalsand have no other significance. It is to be understood that the genericterm "(1-6C)alkyl" includes both straight and branched chain alkylradicals by references to individual alkyl radicals such as "propyl"embrace only the straight chain ("normal") radical, branched chainisomers such as "isopropyl" being referred to specifically. A similarconvention applies to other generic groups, for example "alkylene" and"alkenylene" et cetera.

A particular value for Ra when it is (2-6C)alkyl is, for example, ethyl,propyl or butyl, when it is (2-6C)alkanoyl is, for example, acetyl,propionyl or butyryl; when it is halogeno is, for example, chloro orbromo; and when it is (2-6C)alkenyl is, for example, vinyl, allyl or1-propenyl.

A particular value for an optional [(1-4C)alkoxy]carbonyl substituentwhich may be present on Ra is, for example, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl.

A particular value for Rb when it is (1-4C)alkyl is, for example, methylor ethyl.

A particular value for Ra or Rb when together they form tetramethylenecontaining 1 or 2 unsaturated linkages is, for example, 1-butenylene or1,3-butadienylene; and a particular value for an optional (1-4C)alkylsubstituent thereon is, for example, methyl or ethyl.

A particular value for Rc, Rd or Rf when it is halogeno is, for example,fluoro, chloro or bromo; when it is (1-4C)alkyl is, for example, methylor ethyl; and when it is (1-4C)alkoxy is, for example, methoxy orethoxy.

A particular value for Re when it is (2-10C)alkyl is, for example,ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl,1-ethylpropyl, hexyl, heptyl, 1-ethylpentyl or nonyl; and when itcontains 1 or more fluorine substituents is, for example,2,2,2-trifluoroethyl or heptafluoropropyl.

A particular value for Re when it is (3-10C)alkenyl is, for example,allyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl or 1,3-pentadienyl, and when it is(3-10C)alkynyl is, for example, 2-propynyl or 3-butynyl.

Particular values for Re when it is phenyl-1-6C)alkyl orthienyl-(1-6C)alkyl include, for example, benzyl, 1-phenylethyl,2-phenylethyl, thien-2-ylmethyl, thien-3-ylmethyl, 1-phenylpropyl,2-phenylpropyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 1-methyl-1-phenylethyl, 1- phenylbutyland 1- phenylpentyl; and a particular value for an optional(3-6C)cycloalkyl substituent is, for example, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl orcyclohexyl, and for an optional (1-4C)alkoxy substitutent is, forexample, methoxy or ethoxy.

Particular values for certain optional substituents which may be presenton a phenyl or thienyl moiety as Re, or as a part thereof, as definedabove, include, for example:

for halogeno; fluoro, chloro and bromo;

for (1-4C)alkyl: methyl and ethyl; and

for (1-4C)alkoxy: methoxy and ethoxy.

A particular value for Re when it is (3-8C)cycloalkyl is, for example,cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cyclopheptyl; whenit is (3-8C)cycloalkyl-(1-6C)alkyl is, for example, cyclobutylmethyl,cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 1-cyclopentylethyl, 2-cyclopentylethyl, 1-cyclopentylpropyl, 1- dyclophexylpropyl,1-cyclopentylbutyl, 1-cyclohexylbutyl and when it is(4-6C)oxyheterocyclyl is, for example, tetrahydrofur-2- yl,tetrahydrofur-3-yl, tetrahydropyran-2-yl, tetrahydropyran-3-yl ortetrahydropyran-4-yl; and a particular value for such a radicalcontaining an unsaturated linkage is, for example, cyclohexenyl orcyclohexenyl-(1-6C)alkyl (such as cyclohexenylmethyl or1-(cyclohexenyl)butyl; and a particular value for an optional(1-4C)alkyl substituent on a cyclic moeity of such a radical is, forexample, methyl, ethyl or isopropyl.

A particular value for Q when it is heteroarylyene is, for example,2,5-furandiyl, 2,5-thiophenediyl, 2,5-pyridinediyl and 4,7-benzo[b]furandiyl.

A particular value for G¹ when it is 1-8C)alkylene is, for example,methylene, ethylene, ethylidene, trimethylene, tetramethylene,pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene or octamethylene; and whenit is (2-6C)alkenylene is, for example, vinylene, propenylene,1-butenylene or 2-butenylene.

A particular value for Rg when it is (1-6C)alkyl is, for example,methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl or butyl; when it is aryl is, forexample, phenyl, 1-naphthyl or 2- naphthyl; when it is hetroaryl is, forexample, furyl, thienyl or pyridyl; when it is aryl-(1-C)alkyl is, forexample, benzyl, 1-naphthylmethyl or 2-naphthylmethyl; and when it isheteroaryl-(1-4C)alkyl is, for example, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl orpyridylmethyl.

Particular values for optional substituents which may be present on anaromatic or heteroaromatic moiety as Rg, or on a part thereof, includethose defined above in connection with a phenyl or thienyl moiety in Re.

A particular value for Rh when it is carboxy-(1-3C)alkyl is, forexample, carboxymethyl or 2-carboxyethyl; and when it is(carboxyphenyl)methyl is, for example o-carboxyphenylmethyl.

A typical value for Ra is, for example, hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, chloro,bromo, acetyl, propionyl or butyryl, allyl, 2-carboxyvinyl,2-(methoxycarbonyl)vinyl or 2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl.

A typical value for Rb is, for example, hydrogen or methyl; and for Raand Rb taken together is, for example, tetramethylene or 1,3-butadienylene, optionally bearing a methyl or ethyl substituent.

A typical value for Rc is, for example, hydrogen, methyl, chloro orbromo.

A typical value for Rd or Rf is for example, hydrogen, methyl, methoxy,butoxy, fluoro, chloro or bromo. Rf is preferably hydrogen.

Typical values for Re include, for example, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, 1-ethylpropyl, hexyl,heptyl, 1-ethylpentyl, nonyl, heptafluoropropyl, 1,3-pentadienyl,3-butynyl, phenyl, 4- methylphenyl, 2-trifluoromethylphenyl, 2- thienyl,benzyl, 4-chlorobenzyl, 4- trifluoromethylbenzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 1-phenylethyl, 2-phenylethyl, 1- methyl-1-phenylethyl, thien-2-ylmethyl,1-phenylpropyl, 1-phenylpentyl, alpha-cyclopentylbenzyl,alpha-methoxybenzyl, benzhydryl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,1-phenylcyclopentyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl,2-cyclopentylethyl, 1- cyclopentylbutyl, 1-cyclohexylpropyl, 1-cyclohexylbutyl, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl,1-cyclohexen-4-yl, tetrahydrofur-2-yl and tetrahydrofur-3yl.

A typical value for Q (including Rd and Rf) is, for example, a directlink, oxy, thio, m-phenylene, 2-methoxy-1,3-phenylene,4-methoxy-1,3-phenylene, p-phenylene, 2-methoxy-1,4-phenylene,2butoxy-1,4-phenylene, 2-methyl-1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene,2-chloro-1,4-phenylene, 2-bromo-1,4-phenylene,2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene, 2,5-furandiyl, or 4,7-benzol[b]furandiyl:in which G¹ is attached at position 1 or 4 of Q.

A typical value for G¹ when Q is m-phenylene or p-phenylene optionallysubstituted as defined above, or when Q is 2,5-furandiyl or4,7-benzo[b]furandiyl, is, for example, methylene or ethylidene of whichmethylene is usually preferred.

A typical value for G¹ when Q is oxy or thio is, for example,trimethylene, pentamethylene, heptamethylene or 2-butenylene.

A typical value for G¹ when Q is a direct link is, for example,ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene orheptamethylene.

A typical value for Rg is, for example, methyl, isopropyl, butyl,phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 2- methylphenyl, 4-methylphenyl,4-methoxyphenyl, 4- nitrophenyl, 2-aminophenyl, 1-naphthyl, thien-2-ylor 6-chloropyrid-3-yl.

A typical value for Rh is, for example, hydrogen, carboxymethyl oro-carboxyphenylmethyl.

Two sub-groups of compounds of particular interest within the scope ofthe invention comprise:

(i) those compounds of formula I wherein A CRa stands for a diradical ofthe formula --CRb═CRa--, that is indoles of the formula III;

(ii) those compounds of formula I wherein AS CRa stands for a diradicalof the formula --N═CRa--, that is indazoles of the formula IV;

and, in either group, the remainder of the radicals have any of theabove-defined values; together with the pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof, as appropriate.

In general, in the compounds of formula III and IV it is preferred thatthe group Re.L is located at the 6-position of the indole or indazolering respectively.

A preferred value for Ra is, for example, hydrogen, chloro, acetyl orbutyryl and for Rb, Rc, Rf or Rh is , for example, hydrogen. A preferredvalue for Rd is, for example, methoxy and, when Q is p-phenylene,especially methoxy in the ortho position relative to G¹.

A preferred value for the assembly G¹.Q.G² (together with Rd) is, forexample, 2-methoxy-alpha, 4-toluenediyl. A preferred value for Re.L is,for example, when it stands for a group of the formula Re.X.CO.NH inwhich Re and X have any of the meanings defined herein, and a yet morepreferred value is when the radical Re.X.CO- is selected from branched(4-10C)alkanoyl [such as 2-ethylhexanoyl], 2-[(4-6C)cycloalkyl]acetyl[such as 2-(cyclopentyl)acetyl or 2-(cyclohexyl)acetyl],2-[(2-5C)alkyl]-2-phenylacetyl [such as 2-ethyl-2-phenylacetyl],(4-6C)cycloalkyloxycarbonyl or (4-6C)cycloalkylthiolocarbonyl [such ascyclobutyloxycarbonyl, cyclopentyloxycarbonyl orcyclopentylthiolocarbonyl], (4-6C)cycloalkylcarbonyl [such ascyclopentylcarbonyl] and (3-6C)alkyloxycarbonyl [such asbutyloxycarbonyl].

The group Re.L is preferably located at position 6 of the nucleus of theformula I compounds.

A preferred value for Rg is, for example, phenyl optionally bearing afluoro, chloro, methyl, nitro or amino substituent; and especiallyphenyl or 2-methylphenyl.

A particularly preferred value for Z is, for example, when it is anacylsulphonamide residue of the formula --CO.NH.SO₂.Rg (wherein Rg hasany of the meanings defined above).

Specific compounds of formula I are described in the accompanyingExamples. However, of these, (a) the sulphonamides (Z=CO.NH.SO₂ Rg)described in Examples 256, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 277, 278, 279,280, 284, 294 and 298; (b) the carboxylic acids (Z═CO₂ H) described inExamples 114, 122, 170, 176, 209, 221, 222, 224 and 241; and thetetrazoles (Z═5-l(H)-tetrazolyl) described in Examples 157, 158, 161,162 and 163; together with their pharmaceutically acceptablebase-addition salts; are of special interest for their potentleukotriene antagonist properties.

The compounds of formula I may form salts with bases and those saltswhich are pharmaceutically acceptable are included within the invention.Examples of suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts include saltswith bases forming a physiologically acceptable cation, such as alkalimetal, (especially sodium and potassium), aluminium and ammonium salts,as well as salts of appropriate organic bases such as triethylamine,morpholine, piperidine and triethanolamine.

The compounds of formula I may be made by processes well known in thechemical art for the production of structurally analogous compounds.Such processes for the manufacture of a compound of formula I as definedhereinbefore are provided as further features of the invention and areillustrated by the following procedures: (Z═CO₂ H) described in Examples114, 122

(a) For those compounds of formula I wherein Z is a carboxylic acidgroup, decomposing a suitable ester of formula V wherein Ri is, forexample, (1-6C)alkyl optionally bearing an acetoxy, (1-4C)alkoxy or(1-4C)alkylthio substituent, or is phenyl or benzyl.

A particular value for Ri is, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl,t-butyl, acetoxymethyl, methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, methylthiomethyl,or phenyl or benzyl).

It will be appreciated that the decomposition can be performed using anyof a variety of procedures well known in the art for organic chemistry.Thus, it may be carried out, for example, by conventional hydrolysisunder acid or base conditions, adjusted as necessary to minimise anyhydrolytic removal of other functional groups in the molecule.Alternatively, it may in certain circumstances, for example when Ri ist-butyl, by possible to carry out the decomposition by thermal means,for example by heating the ester of formula V at a temperature of, forexample 100°-150° C., alone or in a suitable solvent or diluent such asdiphenylether. In addition, when Ri is t-butyl, the decomposition may beperformed, for example using trimethylsilyl triflate as illustrated inthe accompanying Example 172. Still further, in certain circumstances,for example when Ri is benzyl, it may be possible to carry out thedecomposition by reductive means, for example by use of hydrogen atabout atmospheric pressure in the presence of a suitable catalyst, suchas palladium or platinum, conveniently on charcoal as a support.

A preferred method for hydrolysing an ester of formula V comprisesreacting said ester with a suitable base, for example an alkali oralkaline earth metal hydroxide or carbonate (such as lithium hydroxide,potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide or potassiumcarbonate) in a suitable, aqueous solvent or diluent, for example wateroptionally together with a water miscible alkanol, glycol. ketone orether (such as methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol, 2-methoxyethanol,acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran or 1,2-dimethoxyethane),at a temperature of, for example, 15°-100° C. and conveniently at ornear ambient temperature. When such a method is employed, the resultantcarboxylic acid of formula I wherein Z is a carboxylic acid group isinitially obtained as the corresponding salt of the base used for thehydrolysis and may be isolated as such or converted to the free acidform by a conventional acidification procedure, for example by reactionwith a suitable strong acid such as hydrochloric or sulphuric acid.

(b) For those compounds of formula I wherein Re.L stands for a group ofthe formula Re.X.CO.NH-- or Re.X.CS.NH--, acylating an amine of theformula VI.

A suitable acylating agent when X is oxy, thio, or a direct link is, forexample an acid halide of the formula Re.Xa.CO.Hal or Re.Xa.CS.Halwherein Xa is one of above-mentioned values for X and Hal is halogeno,especially chloro or bromo.

A suitable acylating agent when X is imino is, for example, anisocyanate or isothiocyanate of the formula Re.NCO or Re.NCS.

When an acid halide is used as the acylating agent, a suitable base suchas triethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, pyridine or 2,6-luitidine isconveniently also employed, preferably together with a suitable inertsolvent or diluent for example methylene chloride, diethyl ether,tetrahydrofuran or 1,2-dimethoxyethane. The same or similar inertsolvents or diluents are used when an isocyanate or isothiocyanate isemployed as the acylating agent.

When X is a direct link, the acylating agent may also be a carboxylicacid of the formula Re.CO₂ H in which case a suitable condensing agent,for example a carbodiimide [such as is referred to in (g) hereinafter]or 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole is generally employed, preferably togetherwith a suitable inert solvent or diluent, for example one of thosementioned above for use with an acid halide.

In general, the acylations are carried out at a temperature in therange, for example, 0°-60° C. and, conveniently, at or near ambienttemperature.

(c) For those compounds of formula III or IV, reacting an indole orindazole derivative of the formula VII wherein A is =CH- or -N= with analkylating agent of the formula VIII in which U is a suitable leavinggroup, for example, halogeno (especially chloro, bromo or iodo) oralkane- or arene-sulphonyloxy (especially methanesulphonyloxy orp-toluenesulphonyloxy).

The reaction is preferably performed in the presence of a suitable base,for example an alkali metal hydride such as sodium or potassium hydridein a suitable inert solvent or diluent, for example, tetrahydrofuran,1,2-dimethoxyethane, N-methylpyrrolidone, or N,N-dimethylformamide.Alternatively, the indole or indazole derivative of formula VII may beused in the form of its preformed anhydrous alkali metal salt, forexample by prior reaction with a molecular equivalent of a suitable basesuch as sodium or potassium methoxide or hydride or butyl lithium; inwhich case a wider range of conventional solvents or diluents may beemployed for the reaction with the alkylating agent of formula VIII. Ineither case, the alkylation is generally performed at a temperature inthe range, for example, -10°to 40° C. and, conveniently, at or nearambient temperature.

(d) For those compounds of formula I wherein Z is a 1 (H)-tetrazol-5-ylradical of formula II (Rh=H), reacting a cyano derivative of the formulaIX with an azide.

A particular, suitable azide is, for example, an alkali metal azide suchas sodium or potassium azide, preferably together with an ammoniumhalide, for example ammonium chloride or ammonium bromide or,especially, with triethylammonium chloride. The reaction is preferablyperformed in a suitable polar solvent, for example N,N-dimethylformamideor N-methylpyrrolidone, and conveniently at a temperature in the range,for example, 50° to 160° C.

(e) For those compounds of formula I wherein Ra is halogeno,halogenating the corresponding compound of formula I wherein Ra ishydrogen.

The reaction may be carried out using a conventional halogenatingprocedure known in the art of heterocyclic chemistry and which iscompatible with the other groups present in the compound. Thus, forexample, a chloro or bromo substituent may be incorporated usingN-chloro or N-bromo succinimide or a comparable N-halogeno reagent,conveniently in a suitable solvent, for example, a halocarbon solventsuch as chloroform or carbon tetrachloride, and at a temperature in therange, for example 20°-100° C.

(f) For a compound of formula I wherein Re.L stands for a group of theformula Re.X CO.NH or Re.X.CS.NH in which is oxy, imino or thio,reacting an isocyanate or isothiocyanate of the formula X, wherein Xb isoxygen or sulphur, with the appropriate compound of the formula Re.XH,for example an amine of the formula Re.NH₂, an alcohol of the formulaRe.OH or a thiol of the formula Re.SH.

In general, the process is performed at a temperature in the range, forexample, 0°-60° C. and, conveniently in a suitable inert diluent orsolvent such as methylene chloride, diethyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether,tetrahdrofuran or dioxane. The starting isocyanate or isothiocyanate offormula X may conveniently be obtained by reaction of the correspondingamine of formula VI with phosgene or thiophosgene (or an equivalentreagent, such as trichloromethyl chloroformate for the production of anisocyanate) in a conventional manner.

(g) For a compound of formula I wherein Z is a group of the formulaCO.NH.SO_(n).Rg, reacting a compound of formula I wherein Z is carboxy(hereinafter "acid of formula I") with a sulphonamide derivative of theformula Rg.SO_(n).NH₂.

Thus, for example a free acid of formula I may be reacted with asuitable dehydrating agent, for example with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide, or with a hydrochlorideor hydrobromide salt thereof, optionally together with an organic base,for example 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, in the presence of a suitablesolvent or diluent, for example methylene chloride, at a temperature inthe range, for example 10° to 50° C., but preferably at or near ambienttemperature. Alternatively, a reactive derivative of an acid of formulaI, for example an acid halide (such as the acid chloride), acidanhydride or a mixed acid anhydride (such as that formed fromN,N-diphenylcarbamic acid and the acid of formula I by reaction of thesodium salt of the latter acid with N,N-diphenylcarbamoylpyridiniumchloride), may be reacted with an alkali metal salt (such as thelithium, sodium or potassium salt) of the appropriate sulphonamide ofthe formula Rg.SO₂ NH₂, conveniently at or near room temperature and ina suitable solvent or diluent, for example tetrahydrofuran,N,N-dimethylformamide or methylene chloride.

(h) For a compound of formula I wherein Ra bears a carboxy substituentand/or Rh is carboxy-(1-3C)alkyl or (carboxyphenyl)methyl, decomposing acorresponding ester of formula I wherein Ra bears a[(1-6C)alkoxy]carbonyl substituent and/or[(1-6C)alkoxy]carbonyl-(1-3C)alkyl or[(1-6C)alkoxycarbonylphenyl]methyl.

In general, similar decomposition conditions to those described inprocess (a) may be used.

(i) For a compound of formula I wherein Z is an acylsulphonamide groupof the formula CO.NH.SO_(n).Rg, G² is a direct link to Z and Q is oxygenor sulphur, reacting a compound of the formula XI wherein Xb is oxy orthio, with an isocyanate derivative of the formula OCN.SO_(n).Rg.

The process may be carried out under generally similar conditions tothose described for process (f) hereinabove.

(j) For a compound of formula I wherein Z is an acylsulphoamide group ofthe formula CO.NH.SO₂.Rg, oxidising the corresponding acylsulphinamideof the formula I wherein Z is a group of the formula CO.NH.SO.Rg.

The process may be carried out using any conventional oxidising agentknown for the production of sulphones from sulphoxides and which iscompatible with the presence of other sensitive groupings in themolecule concerned. Thus for example, hydrogen peroxide, gaseous oxygenin the presence of platinum, potassium permanganate, chromium trioxideor alkaline persulphate may be used, conveniently in a suitable polarsolvent or diluent such as aqueous acetone or tetrahydrofuran and at aslow a temperature as possible, consistent with a reasonable reactionrate, for example at or near ambient temperature, that is in the range15°-30° C.

(k) For a compound of formula I wherein Ra is (2-6C)alkyl optionallybearing a carboxy or [(1-4C)alkoxy]carbonyl substituent, reducing thecorresponding compound of formula I wherein Ra is (2-6C)alkenyloptionally bearing a carboxy or [(1-4C)alkoxy]carbonyl substituent.

The reduction may in general be performed using conventionalhydrogenation conditions, for example using hydrogen at a pressure of,for example, 1-4 bar in the presence of a suitable catalyst, forexample, a noble metal catalyst such as palladium or platinum,conveniently on an inert support such as carbon, in a suitable solventor diluent, for example, a (1-4C)alkanol (such as methanol or ethanol)or in tetrahydrofuran, optionally in the presence of water and at atemperature in the range, for example, 15°-35° C.

For compounds of formula I wherein A is nitrogen, selective positioningof G² at the N(l) position may be achieved by the chlorination of acompound of formula XII (Ra═H) followed by alkylation and reduction ofthe corresponding chloro compound (XII, Ra═Cl) to give the aminestarting material of formula VI (Ra═H), for example as described inExample 306.

Whereafter, for any of the above procedures, when a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt is required, it may be obtained by reaction of theacidic form of the formula I compound with a base affording aphysiologically acceptable cation, or by any other conventionalprocedure.

The necessary starting materials for the above procedures may be made bystandard techniques of organic chemistry and by analogy with thesynthesis of known, structurally similar, compounds. Thus, for example,the starting esters of formula V may be made using the general proceduredescribed for process (b) hereinbefore but starting from the analogousamine to formula VI (i.e. wherein Z is a group of the formula--CO₂ Ri)or using the general procedure described for process (c) hereinbeforestarting from the indole or indazole derivative of formula VII and theanalogous alkylating agent of formula VIII (i.e. wherein Z is a group ofthe formula --CO₂ Ri). The starting amines of formula VI may beobtained, for example, by alkylating an appropriate nitroindole ornitroindazole derivative of formula XII using an alkylating agent of theformula VIII in the presence of a suitable base such as potassiumcarbonate, in a solvent such as acetone, followed by a conventionalreduction to give the required amine of formula VI. The amines offormula VI or the corresponding esters (i.e. wherein Z is a group of theformula --CO₂ Ri) may also be conveniently obtained for use in situ inthe acylation process (b) hereinabove when the acylating agent is a freecarboxylic acid of formula Re.CO₂ H, by reduction of the correspondingnitro compound, for example, by catalytic hydrogenation or by use of areducing metal system, for example iron or zinc dust in an excess of theacid of formula Re.CO₂ H.

The starting indole and indazole derivatives of formula VII may beobtained, for example:

(i) from the nitro derivatives of formula XII i.e. by conventionalreduction to the corresponding amine of formula XIII followed byacylation using the same general procedure as described in (b) above; or

(ii) when Re.L stands for Re.NH.CO--, from the appropriate indole orindazole carboxylic ester of formula XIV, wherein Ri has the meaningstated above, (preferably methyl, ethyl or phenyl) by reaction with theappropriate amine of the formula Re.NH₂.

The starting materials of formula XI may be made, for example, byanalogy with the method described in Example 301 hereinafter. Theproduction of the majority of the above starting materials isillustrated in the accompanying Examples. The ester starting materialsof formula V are novel and are valuable intermediates, provided as afurther feature of the invention.

As stated previously, the compounds of formula I possess leukotrieneantagonist properties. Thus they antagonise the actions of, one or moreof the arachidonic acid metabolites known as leukotrienes for example,C₄, D4 and/or E4, which are known to be powerful spasmogens(particularly in the lung), to increase vascular permeability and havebeen implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma and inflammation (see J.L. Marx, Science, 1982, 215, 1380-1383) as well as of endotoxic andtraumatic shock. The compounds of formula I are thus useful in thetreatment of diseases in which leukotrienes are implicated and in whichantagonism of their action is desired. Such diseases include, forexample, allergic pulmonary disorders such as asthma, hay fever andallergic rhinitis and certain inflammatory diseases such as bronchitis,ectopic and atopic eczema, psoriasis, as well as vasospasticcardiovascular disease, and endotoxic and traumatic shock conditions.

The compounds of formula I are potent leukotriene antagonists and areuseful whenever such activity is desired. For example, the compounds offormula I are useful as pharmacological standards for the developmentand standardisation of new disease models and assays for use indeveloping new therapeutic agents, as well as for treating the diseasesin which the leukotrienes are implicated.

When used in the treatment of one or more of the above mentioneddiseases, a compound of formula I is generally administered as anappropriate pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound offormula I as defined hereinbefore together with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable diluent or carrier, the composition being adapted for theparticular route of administration chosen. Such compositions areprovided as a further feature of the invention. They may be obtainedemploying conventional procedures and excipients and may be in a varietyof dosage forms. For example, they may be in the form of tablets,capsules, solutions or suspensions for oral administration; in the formof suppositories for rectal administration; in the form of sterilesolutions or suspensions for administration by intravenous orintramuscular injection or infusion; in the form of aerosols ornebuliser solutions or suspensions for administration by inhalation; andin the form of powders together with pharmaceutically acceptable inertsolid diluents such as lactose for administration by insufflation.

For oral administration a tablet or capsule containing up to 250 mg.(and typically 5 to 100 mg.) of a compound of formula I may convenientlybe used. Similarly, for intravenous or intramuscular injection orinfusion a sterile solution or suspension containing up to 10% w/w (andtypically 0.05 to 5% w/w) of a compound of formula formula I mayconveniently be used.

The dose of compound of formula I to be administered will necessarily bevaried according to principles well known in the art taking account ofthe route of administration and the severity of the condition and thesize and age of the patient under treatment. However, in general, acompound of formula I will be administered to a warm-blooded animal(such as man) so that a dose in the range, for example 0.05 to 25mg./kg. (and usually 0.5 to 10 mg.kg.) is received.

The leukotriene antagonist properties of a compound of formula I may bedemonstrated using standard tests. Thus, for example, they may bedemonstrated in vitro using the standard guinea-pig tracheal strippreparation described by Krell (J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 1979, 211,436). Using this procedure, tracheal tissue strips are set up in groupsof eight, four being used as time/vehicle controls and four for eachtest compound. All of the strips are exposed to 8×10⁻⁹ M leukotriene E₄(LTE₄) following the 50 minute equilibration period, and the responserecorded. This concentration of LTE₄ is that which produces acontraction equal to about 70-80% of the maximal effect of the agonistin this tissue. The LTE₄ is washed out for 40-45 minutes and theprocedure repeated twice to ensure that reproducible responses are beingobtained with LTE₄. Leukotriene C₄ (LTC₄) or D₄ (LTD₄), at aconcentration of 8×10⁻⁹ M, may be substituted for LTE₄ in the sameprocedure.

Once tissue reproducibility has been established, test compounds areadded to four baths following the 40 to 45 minute washout period. Aftera 10 minute incubation with test compound or vehicle, 8×10⁻⁹ M LTE₄,LTD₄ or LTC₄ is added and the response recorded. The percentageinhibition by the test compound or the percentage change in vehiclecontrols is calculated, for each tissue, according to the followingequation: % inhibition=100 multiplied by (mg. tension increase ofpreceding response minus mg. tension increase in presence of compound)divided by mg. tension increase in presence of compound) divided by mg.tension increase of preceding response. The mean percentage change forvehicle controls and test compound are calculated and evaluated forsignificant differences by Students' t-test for unpaired data. Tissuesexposed to test compounds were retested for responsiveness to LTE₄, LTD₄or LTC₄ following a 25 minute washout period. If tissue responsivenesswas equal to responsiveness preceding exposure to the test compoundadditional studies were conducted. If responsiveness was not restored bythe washing procedure, the tissues were discarded. The cyclooxygenaseinhibitor, indomethacin, is present at 5×10⁻⁶ M in all thedeterminations.

In general, the compounds of formula I demonstrate statisticallysignificant activity as LTC₄, LTD₄ and/or LTE₄ antagonists in the abovetest at a concentration of about 10⁻⁵ M or much less.

The selectivity of action as leukotriene antagonists as opposed tonon-specific smooth muscle depressants may be shown by carrying out theabove in vitro procedure using the non-specific spasmogen bariumchloride at a concentration 1.5×10⁻³ m, again in the presence ofindomethacin at 5×10⁻⁶ M.

Activity as a leukotriene antagonist may also be demonstrated in vivo inlaboratory animals, for example in a routine guinea-pig aerosol test inwhich guina-pigs are pre-dosed with test compound (generally between 15minutes to 1 hour) before an aerosol challenge of leukotriene LTD₄ (30micrograms/ml.) and the effect of the test compound on the average timeof leukotriene initiated change in breathing pattern (such as onset ofdyspnoea) recorded and compared with that in undosed, controlguinea-pigs. In general, compounds of formula I produce a significantincrease in the time of onset of leukotriene initiated breathing changesfollowing either oral, intravenous or intra peritoneal administration ata dose of 100 mg./kg., or much less, without any indication of untowardside-effects at several multiples of the minimum effective dose. By wayof example, the compounds described in Examples 262, 158 and 168produced significant increases in time required for onset of leukotrieneD₄ initiated disponoea following oral dosing at about 5 mg./kg., 43mg./kg. and 50 mg./kg., respectively, 1-2 hours prior to leukotrienechallenge.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limitingExamples in which, unless stated otherwise:

(i) all operations were carried out at room or ambient temperature thatis at a temperature in the range 18°-25° C.

(ii) evaporation of solvent was carried out using a rotary evaporator invacuo with a bath temperature of up to 50° C.;

(iii) flash chromatography was carried out on Merck Kieselgel (Art 9385)and column chromatography on Merck Kieselgel 60 (Art 7734); [thesematerials were obtained from E. Merck, Darmstadt, W. Germany]; thinlayer chromatography (TLC) was carried out on Analtech 0.25 mm. silicagel GHLF plates (Art. 21521), obtainable from Analtech, Newark, Del.,USA;

(iv) melting points are uncorrected and `d` indicates decomposition;

(v) all final products were essentially pure by TLC;

(vi) yields are given for illustration only and, for crystallineend-products, refer to the weight of recrystallised solid except whereshown with an asterisk*; carboxylic acid end-products wererecrystallised from, for example, ethyl acetate/hexane

(vii) when given, NMR data is in the form of delta values for majordiagnostic protons, given in parts per million (ppm) relative totetramethylsilane (TMS) as internal standard, determined at 80 MHz or250 MHz using CDCl₃ or d₆ -DMSO as solvent; conventional abbreviationsfor signal shape are used e.g. s, single; d, doublet; m, multiplet; br,broad; etc.; and

(viii) chemical symbols have their usual meanings; the followingabbreviations have also been used: v (volume), w (weight), m.p. (meltingpoint), p.s.i. (pounds per square inch), [liter(s)], m.l. (milliliters),g [grams(s)]; and in center of the Tables+ is used to indicate that anexplanatory footnote applies.

EXAMPLE 1

A stirred solution of 0.45 g. methyl4-(6-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (A) in 10 ml. methylenechloride was cooled to 0° C. and treated with 0.30 m.. triethylaminefollowed by 0.22 ml. hexanoyl chloride. The resulting solution wasstirred at 0° C. for 15 minutes and then at room temperature for 30minutes. The mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and poured into coldwater. The organic layer was washed sequentially with 10% v/vhydrochloric acid, water, and brine; dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. Theresidue was purified by flash chromatography on a 4×18 cm. silica gelcolumn using 35% (v/v) ethyl acetate in hexane as the eluent to give0.36 g. (61%) of methyl4-(6-hexanamidoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate as a white solid;NMR: 0.9 (t, 3H, CH₃ CH₂), 1.4 (m, 4H, CH₃ CH₂ CH₂), 1.7 (m, 2H, CO.CH₂CH₂), 2.3 (t, 2H, CO.CH₂), 3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.0 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.3 (s,2H, NCH₂), 6.5 (d, 1H, H³ -indole), 6.6 (d, 1H, m-MeO.C₆ H₃), 6.9 d, 1H,H⁵ -indole), 7.1 (d, 1H, H² -indole), 7.2 (br s, 1H, NH), 7.5 (d, 1H,p-MeO:C₆ H₃), 7,6 (m, 2H), 8.0 (br s, 1H, H⁷ -indole). The amino ester Awas obtained as follows:

(a) A solution of 4.0 g. 6-nitroindole and 6.71 g. methyl4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzoate (B) in 125 ml. dry acetone was treatedwith 4.0 g. anhydrous potassium carbonate. The mixture was heated underreflux for 48 hours. The cloudy mixture was evaporated. The residue wassuspended in ethyl acetate, and solid removed by filtration. Thefiltrate was evaporated and the residual oil was purified by flashchromatography on a 6×30 cm. column of silica gel using 50% (v/v)methylene chloride in hexane as the eluent to give 8.0 g. (95%) ofmethyl 3-methoxy-4-(6-nitroindol-1-ylmethyl)benzoate (C) as a brightyellow powder; NMR: 3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.0 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.4 (s, 2H,NCH₂), 6.7 (dd, 1H,H³ -indole), 6.8 (d, 1H, m-MeO.C₆ H₃) 7.4 (d, 1H, H²-indole), 7.5-7.7 (m, 3H), 8.0 (dd, 1H, H⁵ -indole), 8.3 (br s, 1H, H⁷-indole).

(b) A solution of 1.38 g. C in 15 ml. ethyl acetate, which contained 2drops of 20% (v/v) acetic acid in ethyl acetate, was added to asuspension of 0.34 g. of pre-reduced 10% w/w palladium-on-charcoal in 5ml. ethyl acetate. The mixture was shaken under 3.45 bar hydrogen for 24hours and then filtered through diatomaceous earth. The residue waswashed with hot chloroform and the combined filtrate and washings wereevaporated to give 1.19 G. (95%) of methyl4-(6-amino-indol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (A) as a tan powder;NMR:3.6 (br, 2H, NH₂), 3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.0 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.3 (s, 2H,NCH₂), 6.4 (d, 1H, H³ -indole), 6.5 (s, 1H, H⁷ -indole), 6.6 m, 2H), 6.9(d, 2H, H² -indole), 7.5 (m, 3H).

The starting bromomethyl compound B was itself obtained as follows:

(c) A solution of 6.0 g. 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoic acid in 120 ml. ofmethanol was treated with 6 ml. acetyl chloride and stirred for 36hours. The solution was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in 100 ml.methanol and the solution evaporated. This procedure was repeated togive 6.34 g. (98%) of methyl 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoate (D) as acolourless oil; NMR: 2.2 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.9 (2s, 6H, OCH₃), 7.1 (d, 1H,m--MeO.C₆ H₃), 7.5 (m, 2H).

(d) A stirred solution of 121.2 g. methyl 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoate (D)in 1.4 l. carbon tetrachloride was heated under gentle reflux with a 350watt tungsten lamp and subjected to an air purge by means of a T-tubeattached to a water aspirator. A solution of 107.2 g. bromine in 500 ml.carbon tetrachloride was added dropwise over 4 hours. Evaporation of thesolvent gave a light yellow solid which was triturated with 500 ml. of10% (v/v) ether in hexane. The solid was collected by filtration to give111.7 g. (64%) of methyl 4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzoate (B) as a lightyellow solid, m.p. 87°-90° C.; NMR: 3.9 (2s, 6H, OCH₃), 4.5 (s, 2H,BrCH₂), 7.4 (m, 3H, aromatic H).

EXAMPLES 2-8

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 1 starting fromthe appropriate acid chloride of the formula Re.C0.Cl, the followingesters of formula I were obtained:

    ______________________________________                                        Example                                                                              Re          Yield (%)  Partial NMR                                     ______________________________________                                        2      Propyl      100        0.9(t, 3H, CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.3),                                        2.6(m, 2H, CH.sub.3 C .sub.--H.sub.2),                                        2.3(t, 2H, CO.C .sub.--H.sub.2)                 3      Heptyl      96         0.9(t, 3H, CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.3),                                        1.2(m, 8H), 1.6(m,                                                            2H, CO.CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.2),                                            2.3(t, 2H, CO.CH.sub.2).                        4      Nonyl       70         0.9(t, 3H, CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.3),                                        1.3(m, 12H), 1.7(m,                                                           2H, CO.CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.2), 2.4                                        (t, 2H, CO.C .sub.--H.sub.2)                    5      1,3-Pentadienyl                                                                           60         1.9(m, 3H, CHC .sub.--H.sub.3),                                               5.8-6.2(m, 3H,                                                                vinyl)                                          6      Benzyl      79         DMSO: 3.6(s, 2H,                                                              C(O)CH.sub.2)                                   7      2-Phenylethyl                                                                             41         2.7(t, 2H, PhCH.sub.2),                                                       3.0(t, 2H, CO.CH.sub.2)                         8      3-Phenylpropyl                                                                            *22        2.0-2.4(m, 4H,                                                                PhC .sub.--H.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.2), 2.7                                     (t, 2H, CO.CH.sub.2)                            ______________________________________                                         *Note: acid chloride prepared in situ with thionyl chloride.             

EXAMPLE 9

A solution of 0.318 g. 2-phenylbutyric acid and 0.335 g.1,1'-carbonylidiimidazole in 2 ml. methylene chloride was heated underreflux for 30 minutes and then treated with a solution of 0.5 g. methyl4-(6-amino-indol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (A) in 2 ml. methylenechloride. The mixture was heated under reflux for 30 minutes, stirred atroom temperature for 24 hours, and then diluted with ethyl acetate. Thisorganic solution was washed sequentially with 10% v/v hydrochloric acid,water, and brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue was purifiedby flash chromatography on a 4×18 cm. silica gel column using 60% v/vethyl acetate in hexane as the eluent to give 0.493 g. (74%) of methyl3-methoxy-4-[6-(2-phenylbuanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]benzoate as a whitesolid; NMR: 0.9 (t, 3H, CH₂ CH₃), 2.0 (m, 2H, CH₃ CH₂), 3.4 (m, 1H,PhCH), 3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.0 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.3 (s, 2H, NCH₂), 6.5 (d,1H, H³ -indole), 6.7 (m,2H), 7.1 (d, 1H, H² -indole), 7.2 (br, 1H, NH),7.4 (m, 8H, aromatic H), 7.9 (br s, 1H, H⁷ -indole).

EXAMPLES 10-14

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 9 but startingfrom the appropriate carboxylic acid of the formula Re.CO₂ H, thefollowing esters of the formula 1 were obtained.

    ______________________________________                                        Example                                                                              Re          Yield (%)  Partial NMR                                     ______________________________________                                        10     3-butyn-1-yl                                                                              95         2.0(m, 1H, HC.tbd.C),                                                         2.6(br s, 4H,                                                                 CO.C .sub.--H.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.2)           11     4-chlorobenzyl                                                                            100        3.7(s, 2H, CO.CH.sub.2)                         12     4-CF.sub.3 -benzyl                                                                        62         3.7(s, 2H, CO.CH.sub.2)                         13     benzhydryl  64         5.1(s, 1H, CO.CH),                                                            7.3[s, 10H, (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 ]           14     2-thienylmethyl                                                                           47         3.9(m, 8H, 2 OCH.sub.3 +                                                      CO.CH.sub.2)                                    ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 15

Using an analogous procedure to that described in Example 1 but startingform 6-nitroindoline, there was obtained methyl4-(6-hexanamidoindolin-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate as an amber syrupin 28% yield; NMR: 0.9 (br t, 3H, CH₃ CH₂), 1.3 (m, 4H, CH₃ CH₂ CH₂),1.7 (m, 2H, CO.CH₂ CH₂), 2.3 (t, 2H, CO.CH₂), 3.0 (m, 2H, NCH₂ CH₂), 3.5(m, 2H, NCH₂ CH₂), 3.9 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 4.3 (s, 2H, NCH₂), 6.6-7.0 (m, 3H,aromatic-H), 7.3-7.7 (m, 3H, aromatic-H).

EXAMPLE 16

A solution of 2.50 g. methyl4-(6-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (A) in 20 ml. methylenechloride was mixed with 0.92 ml. butyl isocyanate and then stirred for72 hr. Evaporation gave an oil which solidified upon trituration withethyl acetate to yield 3.3 g. (100%) of methyl4-(6-N'-butylureidoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate; NMR: 0.9 (m, 3H,CH₂ CH₃), 1.3 (m, 4H, CH₃ CH₂ CH₂), 3.2 (br q, 2H NHCH₂), 3.9 (s, 3H,OCH₃), 4.0 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.9 (br t, 1H, CH₂ NH), 5.3 (s, 2H, NCH₂), 6.4(br s, 1H, ArNH), 6.5 (d, 1H, H³ -indole), 6.7 (d, 1H, m-MeOC₆ H₃, 6.8(dd, 1H, H⁵ -indole), 7.1 (d, 1 H, H² -indole), 7.5 (m, 4H).

EXAMPLES 17-20

Using an analogous procedure to that described in Example 16 butstarting with the appropriate isocyanate or isothiocyanate, thefollowing esters of formula 2 were obtained:

    ______________________________________                                        Example Re      Xa     Yield (%)                                                                             Partial NMR                                    ______________________________________                                        17      t-Butyl O      46%     1.3(s, 9H, t-Bu),                                                             4.6(br s, 1H, t-BuN .sub.--H)                  18      Hexyl   O      85%     0.9(m, 3H, CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.3),                                        1.3(m, 8H,)3.2                                                                (br q, 2H, NHC .sub.--H.sub.2),                                               5.0(br t, 1H, CH.sub.2 N .sub.--H)             19      Benzyl  O      100%    4.4(d, 2H, PhC .sub.--H.sub.2),                                               5.1(br t, 1H, CH.sub.2 N .sub.--H)             20      Butyl   S      68%     0.9(m, 3H, CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.3),                                        1.4(m, 4H, CH.sub.3 C .sub.--H.sub.2 --                                       C .sub.--H.sub.2), 3.6(br q, 2H                                               NHC .sub.--H.sub.2), 5.9(br t,                                                CH.sub.2 N .sub.--H).                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 21

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 9 but startingwith cyclopentanecarboxylic acid instead of 2-phenylbutyric acid, methyl4-(6-cyclopentancarboxamidoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate wasobtained as a solid in 56% yield; partial NMR: 1.5-2.0 [br m, 8H, (CH₂)₄], 2.5-2.8 [br m, 1H, (CH₂)₄ CH], 7.2 (br s, 1H, NH).

EXAMPLE 22

A solution of 3.0 g. methyl4-(6-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (A) in 48 ml. methylenechloride was cooled to 0° C. and treated with 2.02 ml. triethylaminefollowed by 1.35 ml. butyl chloroformate. The resultant solution wasstirred at 0° C. for 15 minutes and then at room temperature for 24hours. A precipitate was removed by filtration. The filtrate wasevaporated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on a6×25 cm. silica gel column using 35% v/v ethyl acetate in hexane as theeluent. There was thus obtained 1.96 g. (45%) of methyl4-[6-(N-butoxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate as anivory coloured solid; NMR: 0.9 (t, 3H, CH₂ CH₃), 1.5 (m, 4H, CH₃ CH₂CH₂), 3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.0 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.2 (t, 2H, OCH₂), 6.5 (dd,1H, H³ -indole), 6.7 (m, 2H), 6.9 (dd, 1H, H⁵ -indole), 7.1 (d, 1H, H²-indole), 7.5 (m, 4H).

EXAMPLE 23

To a stirred slurry of 24 mg. sodium hydride (hexane washed) in 1 ml.dry dimethylformamide (DMF) was added a solution of 230 mg.6-hexanamidoindole (E) in 8 ml. DMF. The dark mixture was stirred for 30minutes, then treated with a solution of 275 mg. methyl4-bromomethylbenzoate (F) in 1 ml. DMF, and stirred overnight. Thereaction was quenched by addition of saturated aqueous ammoniumchloride, poured into water, and extracted with ethyl acetate. Thecombined extracts were washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporatedto give 300 mg. (79%) of methyl 4-(6-hexanamidoindol-1-ylmethol)benzoateas a dark oil; NMR: 0.9 (m, 3H, CH₂ CH₃), 1.4 (m, 4H, CH₃ CH₂ CH₂), 1.7(m, 2H, CO.CH₂ CH₂), 2.3 (t, 2H, CO.CH₂), 3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.3 (s, 2H,NCH₂) 6.5 (d, 1H, H³ -indole), 6.9 (dd, 1H, H⁵ -indole), 7.0-8.0 (m,8H).

The starting material (E) was obtained as follows:

(a) A yellow solution of 5.2 g. 6-nitroindole in 150 ml. ethyl acetatewas added to 1.25 g. of pre-induced 10% w/w palladium-on-charcoal in 50ml. ethyl acetate. The mixture was shaken under 3.45 bar hydrogenovernight and then filtered through diatomaceous earth. The residue waswashed with 150 ml. hot chloroform and the combined colourless filtrateand washings were evaporated to give a quantitative yield of6-aminoindole as a dark oil; NMR: 3.5 (br s, 2H, NH₂), 6.4 (m, 1H, H³).6.5 (m, 2H, H⁵ +H⁷), 7.0 (dd, 1H, H², 7.4 (d, 1H, H⁴), 7.8 (br, 1H, NH).

(b) A solution of 4.24 g. 6-aminoindole in 300 ml. methylene chloridewas stirred at 0° C. and 5.4 ml triethylamine followed by 4.2 ml.hexanoyl chloride was then added. The dark mixture was stirred for 1hour and then filtered to remove a white precipitate. The filtrate wasdiluted with methylene chloride; washed sequentially with 10% w/v sodiumhydrogen sulphate water, and brine; dried (MgSO₄); and evaporated. Theresidue was crystallized from ethyl acetate and hexane to give6-hexanamidoindole (E) as a white solid. Partial evaporation of themother liquor gave a second crop of solid giving a combined yield of 4.5g. (65%); NMR: 0.9 (t, 3H, CH₃), 1.4 (m, 4H, CH₃ CH₂ CH₂), 1.8 (m, 2H,CO.CH₂ CH₂), 2.4 (t, 2H, CO.CH₂), 6.5 (m, 1H, H³), 6.8 (dd, 1H, H⁵), 7.2(m, 2H, CO.NH+H²), 7.5 (d, 1H, H⁴), 8.1 (bs, 1H, H⁷), 8.3 (br, 1H, NH).

The starting bromo ester (F) was prepared as follows:

(c) To 200 ml. of methanol at 0° C. was added, with stirring, 48.4 g. of4-methylbenzoyl chloride over 20 minutes. Following the addition, thereaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for one hour. Themethanol was evaporated and the residue was distilled to give 43 g.methyl 4-methylbenzoate as a colourless liquid, boiling point 103°-108°C. at 20 mm. of Hg.

(d) Bromination of methyl 4-methylbenzoate using the procedure describedin part (d) of Example 1 gave a 97% yield of methyl4-bromomethylbenzoate (F) as an oil, b.p. 88°-95° C. at 0.16 mm. Hg.,which crystallized after distillation.

EXAMPLE 24

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 23, but replacingthe bromo ester (F) by methyl 5-chloromethylfuran-2-carboxylate, therewas obtained methyl 5-(6-hexanamidoindol-1-ylmethyl)furan-2-carboxylatein 34% yield as a white solid; partial NMR:3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.3 (s,2H, NCH₂), 6.2 (d, 1H, H⁴ -furan).

EXAMPLE 25

Starting from 2,3,5-trimethyl-6-nitroindole (G) and using methodsanalogous to those in Example 1, methyl4-(6-hexanamido-2,3,5-trimethylindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate wasobtained in 40% yield as a slightly green solid; NMR: 0.9 (m, 3H, CH₂CH₃), 1.3 (m, 4H, CH₃ CH₂ CH₂), 1.7 (m, 2H, CO.CH₂ CH₂), 2.2-2.4 (11H,3CH₃ +CO.CH₂), 3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.0 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.3 (s, 2H, NCH₂),6.3 (d, 1H, m-MeO-C₆ H₃), 6.9 (br, 1H, NH), 7.3-7.6 (3H, aromatic H),7.7 (br s, 1H, H⁷ -indole).

The starting indole G was obtained as follows:

(a) A vigorously stirred slurry of 4.0 g. pulverized4-methyl-3-nitroaniline in 8.4 ml. concentrated hydrochloric acid and 30ml. water was cooled to 0° C. and treated dropwise with a solution of2.4 g. sodium nitrite in 4 ml. water at such a rate that the temperatureof the reaction mixture remained below 5° C. A small quantity ofinsoluble material was removed by rapid filtration. The clear yellowfiltrate was added rapidly to a vigorously stirred solution of 9.0 g.sodium sulphite and 0.8 g. sodium hydroxide in 30 ml. water at 0° C. Theresulting dark mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour andthen treated with concentrated hydrochloric acid until the colourlightened and a precipitate appeared. The mixture was then warmed to 40°C., acidified to pH 1, and allowed to stand at room temperatureovernight. The orange precipitate was collected by filtration anddissolved in 50 ml. of hot water to give a dark red solution which wasfiltered hot and diluted to 100 ml. with concentrated hydrochloric acid.Upon cooling 2.12 g. of 4-methyl-3-nitrophenylhydrazine hydrochloride(H) contaminated with some sodium chloride was collected by filtrationas a light brown solid and was used directly.

(b) To a mixture of 4.0 g. of H and 60 ml. anhydrous ethanol stirred at60° C. was added 2 ml. of methyl ethyl ketone. The resulting redsolution was heated under reflux for 2 hours. A small quantity of whitesolid was removed by filtration of the hot solution. The filtrate wasevaporated. The gummy orange residue of the hydrazone was mixed with 50ml. acetic acid and 3.3 ml. boron trifluoride etherate. The mixture washeated under reflux for 2 hours and solid removed by hot filtration. Thedark green filtrate was evaporated to a green oil which was dissolved inethyl acetate. The solution was washed with 10% w/v sodium carbonate andthen purified by flash chromatography on a 6×20 cm. column of silica gelusing 30% v/v ethyl acetate in hexane. Evaporation of the earlyfractions gave 0.64 g. (16%) of 2,3,5-trimethyl-6-nitroindole (G) as anorange solid; NMR: 2.3 (s, 3H, CH₃) 2.5 (s, 3H, CH₃) 2.7 (s, 3H, CH₃),7.3 (s, 1H, H⁴), 8.0 (br, 1H, NH), 8.1 (s, 1H, H⁷). Later fractionsyielded 0.43 g. of 2,3,5-trimethyl-4nitroindole as an orange solid: NMR2.1 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.4 (2s, 6H, 2CH₃), 6.9 (d, 1H), 7.3 (d, 1H) and 7.9(br, 1H, NH).

EXAMPLE 26-32

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 1, the followingesters of formula 3 were obtained starting from the appropriate 4- or6-aminoindole derivatives of formula 4, the latter derivatives beingobtained from known nitro-indoles using the procedures described inpreceding Examples:

    ______________________________________                                                                    Yield                                             Ex  R,Ra    Re.         *   (%)   Partial NMR                                 ______________________________________                                        26  CH.sub.3                                                                              pentyl      6   68    2.2(s, 3H, CH.sub.3), 2.3                                                     (s, 3H, CH.sub.3)                           27  (CH).sub.4                                                                            cyclopentyloxy                                                                            6   90    1.55-1.86[br m, 8H,                                                           (CH.sub.2).sub.4 ], 5.15(m, 1H,                                               CHO)                                        28  (CH.sub.2).sub.4                                                                      pentyl      6   99    1.9(m, 4H), 2.5-2.7                                                           (m, 4H)                                     29  CH.sub.3                                                                              pentyl      4   72    2.2(s, 3H, CH.sub.3), 2.5                                                     (s, 3H, CH.sub.3)                           30  (CH).sub.4                                                                            cyclopentylmethyl                                                                         6   78    2.35(br s, 3H, CHCH.sub.2)                  31  (CH.sub.2).sub.4                                                                      pentyl      4   99    1.9(m, 4H), 2.5-2.7                                                           (m, 4H)                                     32  (CH).sub.4                                                                            pentyl      4   31    6.4-8.2(11H, Ar +                                                             NH)                                         ______________________________________                                         *Position of amide attachment to indole nucleus                          

EXAMPLE 33

Using the same procedure as described in Example 1 but starting frommethyl 4-(6-aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl)benzoate [obtained by catalyticreduction of methyl 4-(6-nitroindazol-1-ylmethyl)benzoate (J)], methyl4-(6-hexanamidoindazol-1-ylmethyl)benzoate was obtained as a white solidm.p. 122.5°-123° C.

The starting nitro ester (J) was obtained as follows:

A mixture of 3.7 g. sodium 6-nitrotindazolide, 4.58 g. of methyl4-bromomethylbenzoate (F) and 120 ml. acetone was heated under reflux ina nitrogen atmosphere for 54 hours and then diluted with 250 ml. ethylacetate and 40 ml. of 50% w/v brine. The organic layer was separated,washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), and evaporated to give a brown solid.Early fractions from chromatography of the solid on a Waters 500 HPLC(SiO₂, 25% v/v ethyl acetate in hexane) yielded a solid which wascrystallized from ethyl acetate to give methyl4-(6-nitroindazol-1-yl)methylbenzoate (J) as light yellow needles, 1.71g. (28%); m.p. 171°-172° C.; partial ¹³ C-NMR: 134.10 (C-3).

EXAMPLE 34

A mixture of 0.505 g. methyl4-(6-hexanamido-2,3,-dimethylindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate, 0.29g. lithium hydroxide hydrate, 7 ml. tetrahydrofuran, 2 ml. methanol, and2 ml. water was stirred overnight. The mixture was then evaporated. Thewhite solid obtained was dissolved in 40 ml. water. Acidification ofthis homogeneous alkaline solution by dropwise addition of 10% v/vhydrochloric acid gave a fine white precipitate which was collected byfiltration and recrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane. There was thusobtained 0.33 g. (68%) of4-(6-hexanamido-2,3-dimethylindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoic acid as awhite powder; m.p. 220°-222° (d) °C.; microanalysis, found: C, 71.07; H,7.14; N, 6.38%; C₂₅ H₃₀ N₂ O₄ requires: C, 71.07; H, 71.16; N, 6.63%.

EXAMPLES 35-66

Using the same general procedure as described in Example 34, thefollowing acids of formula 5 may be obtained by hydrolysis of thecorresponding methyl esters of formula 1:

    ______________________________________                                        Example   Re           mp. (°C.)                                                                        Yield (%)                                    ______________________________________                                        35        pentyl       221-223 (d)                                                                             39                                           36        propyl       225-228   24                                           37        heptyl       200-201   40                                           38        nonyl        194-196   74                                           39        1,3-pentadienyl                                                                            238-240 (d)                                                                             27                                           40        benzyl       249-250   29                                           41        2-phenylethyl                                                                              225-227   62                                           42        3-phenylpropyl                                                                             186-188   49                                           43        1-phenylpropyl                                                                             215-216   52                                           44        3-butyn-1-yl 230-231   34                                           45        4-chlorobenzyl                                                                             >255      45                                           46        4-CF.sub.3 -benzyl                                                                         >250      49                                           47        benzhydryl   262-263   39                                           48        2-thienylmethyl                                                                            244-245   62                                           ______________________________________                                    

Similarly, 4-(6-hexanamidoindolin-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoic acid(Example 49) was obtained as a solid, m.p. 145°-148° (d) °C. in 39%yield starting from the corresponding methyl ester (Example 15).

Similarly, the following acids of formula 6 were obtained from theappropriate methyl ester starting materials:

    ______________________________________                                                                                Yield                                 Example Re       X       Xa   m.p. (°C.)                                                                       (%)                                   ______________________________________                                        50      butyl    NH      O    193-194   76                                    51      t-butyl  NH      O    181-182   30                                    52      hexyl    NH      O    204-205   73                                    53      benzyl   NH      O    204-205 (d)                                                                              5                                    54      butyl    NH      S    200-201   62                                    55      cyclo-   direct  O    271-272.sup.+  (d)                                                                      26                                            pentyl   link                                                         56      butyl    O       O    174-175   21                                    ______________________________________                                         .sup.+ partial hydrate.                                                  

Similarly, the following acids of formula 7 may be obtained:

    ______________________________________                                                                               Yield                                  Example                                                                              G.sup.1 --Q--CO.sub.2 H                                                                       A       m.p. (°C.)                                                                     (%)                                    ______________________________________                                        57     4-carboxybenzyl CH      194-195  26                                    58     5-carboxyfur-2-ylmethyl                                                                       CH      200-202 *80                                    59     4-carboxybenzyl N       215-215.5                                                                             *81                                    ______________________________________                                    

Similarly, the following acids of formula 8 may be obtained (Exs. 60,62, 63, 65, 66: Re=pentyl; Ex 61: Re=cylclopentyl.0; Ex 64:Re=cyclopentyl.CH₂):

    ______________________________________                                                       Amide                    Yield                                 Example                                                                              R,Ra    Position  Rc     m.p. (°C.)                                                                     (%)                                   ______________________________________                                        60     methyl  6         5-methyl                                                                             278-280 (d)                                                                           **46                                  61     (CH).sub.4                                                                            6         H      254-255.sup.+                                                                         54                                    62     (CH.sub.2).sub.4                                                                      6         H      194-195 (d)                                                                           14                                    63     methyl  4         H      190 (d) 51                                    64     (CH).sub.4                                                                            6         H      288-289.sup.+                                                                         65                                    65     (CH.sub.2).sub.4                                                                      4         H      222-223 (d)                                                                           51                                    66     (CH).sub.4                                                                            4         H      >245    37                                    ______________________________________                                         Notes:                                                                        **recrystallised from aqueous ethanol.                                        .sup.+ partial hydrate.                                                  

EXAMPLE 67

A mixture of 189 mg. 6-hexanamido-1-(4-cyano-2-methoxybenzyl)indole, 99mg. sodium azide, 105 mg. triethylamine hydrochloride, and 3.7 ml.N-methylpyrrolidone was stirred at 150° C. under nitrogen for 3.5 hours.After cooling, the reaction mixture was diluted with 20 ml. water,acidified to pH 1 with 10% v/v hydrochloric acid and extracted withethyl acetate. The organic layer was extracted with 10% w/v sodiumhydroxide. The alkaline extract was washed with ether and thenacidified. Ethyl acetate extraction of this acidified aqueous layergave, upon evaporation, a solid which was recrystallized from aqueousmethanol to yield 90 mg. (43%) of6-hexanamido-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indole m.p.210°-212° C.; microanalysis, found: C, 65.62; H, 6.15; N, 20.08%; C₂₃H₂₆ N₆ O₂ requires: C, 66.01; H, 6.26; N, 20.28%.

The starting amido nitrile was prepared as follows:

(a) To a stirred suspension of 9.97 g. 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoic acid in18 ml. methylene chloride heated to reflux under nitrogen, was addeddropwise over 45 minutes a solution of 5.35 ml.chlorosulphonylisocyanate (1.025 equivalents) in 3 ml. methylenechloride. The resulting homogeneous, bright red solution was heatedunder reflux for 45 minutes, chilled in an ice bath, and treateddropwise with 9.5 ml. dimethylformamide over 15 minutes. After stirringfor 30 minutes at 0° C., the orange solution was poured onto ice. Theorganic layer was separated, washed five times with 20 ml. water, dried(MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on a Waters 500HPLC (SiO₂, 10% (v/v) hexane in toluene) to give 5.28 g. (60%) of3-methoxy-4-methylbenzonitrile as a white solid, m.p. 51-52.5° C.

b) A solution of 2.65 g. 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzonitrile in 90 ml. drycarbon tetrachloride was treated with 3.20 g. N-bromosuccinimide and 5mg. benzoyl peroxide. The mixture was then heated to reflux for 15minutes with a 250 watt tungsten lamp. The cooled reaction mixture wasdiluted with 90 ml. petroleum ether (b.p.60°-80° C.) insoluble materialremoved by filtration and the filtrate evaporated. The solid residue wasrecrystallized from methylene chloride-petroleum ether to give 2.64 g.(65%) of 4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzonitrile as a white solid, m.p.87°-91° C.

(c) Using the same procedure as described in Example 23 but startingfrom 4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzonitrile in place of methyl4-bromomethylbenzoate, there was obtained6-hexanamido-1-(4-cyano-2-methoxy-benzyl)indole m.p. 136°-138° C. in 68%yield.

EXAMPLE 68

Using the same procedure as described in Example 67 but starting from1-(4-cyanophenylmethyl)-6-hexanamidoindole, there was obtained6-hexanamido-1-(4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5yl]benzyl)indole in 50% yield as ahemihydrate, m.p. 134°-136° C. The starting material was made using ananalogous procedure to that described in Example 23, but using4-bromomethylbenzonitrile in place of methyl 4-bromomethylbenzoate, andwas obtained in 59% yield as a solid, m.p. 106°-109° C.

EXAMPLES 69-72

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 67, the followingtetrazoles of formula 9 were obtained from the correspoding nitriles offormula 10:

    ______________________________________                                                  Tetrazole 9  Nitrile 10                                             Example                                                                              G.sup.1  m.p. (°C.)                                                                       yield (%)                                                                            m.p. (°C.)                                                                     Yield                                ______________________________________                                        69     (CH.sub.2).sub.3                                                                       149-150*  51     96-98   30                                   70     (CH.sub.2).sub.4                                                                       114-115   43     **      67                                   71     (CH.sub.2).sub.5                                                                       158-161*  73     71-72   70                                   72     (CH.sub.2).sub.6                                                                       133-135   72     86-88   55                                   ______________________________________                                         *Partial hydrate                                                              **Partial NMR: 1.6(m, 2H, NCH.sub.2 C.sub.--H.sub.2), 2.0(m, 2H,              C.sub.--H.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CN), 2.4(t, 2H, CH.sub.2 CN), 4.2(t, 2H,             NCH.sub.2).                                                              

The above nitriles of formula 10 were obtained using the generalprocedure of Ex.23 starting from 6-hexanamidoindole and the appropriatebromonitrile of the formula Br.G¹.CN.

EXAMPLE 73

A stirred suspension of 19 mg. sodium hydride in 5 ml. drydimethylformamide was treated at 0° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere with33 mg. 1(H)-tetrazol-5-thiol. After 10 minutes the mixture was warmed toroom temperature and added to 76 mg. 6-hexanamido-1-(3-chloropropyl)(K). After stirring for 25 minutes this mixture was diluted with 30 ml.water, acidified to pH 2 with 1M hydrochloric acid, and then extractedwith ethyl acetate. The extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. Theoily residue crystallised from ethyl acetate/hexane. Recrystallisationfrom aqueous methanol gave 22.8 mg. (25%) of6-hexanamido-1-(3-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-ylthiol]-propyl)indole as a whitesolid; m.p. 117°-119° C.; microanalysis, found: C, 57.97; H,6.43; N,22.22%; C₁₈ H₂₄ N₆ OS requires: C, 58.04; H, 6.49; N,22.56%.

The starting indole derivative (K) was obtained as a white solid[partial NMR: 2.4 (m,2H, NCH₂ CH₂), 3.4 (t,2H, CH₂ Cl), 4.3 (t,2H,CH₂N)] using the same general procedure as described in Example 23, butreplacing methyl 4-bromomethylbenzoate with 1-bromo-3-chloropropane.

EXAMPLE 74

A solution of 1.10 g. 2-phenylbutyric acid in 10 ml. methylene chloridewas treated with 1.09 g. 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole in several portions.After the effervescence subsided, the mixture was heated under refluxfor 5 minutes and then cooled to room temperature. To this mixture wasadded a solution of 0.07 g. methyl4-(6-aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (L) in 10 ml. methylenechloride followed by 0.027 g. 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine. The resultingmixture was stirred for 24 hours and then diluted with 75 ml. ethylacetate. This organic solution was washed successively with 0.5Mhydrochloric acid, saturated sodium carbonate, and brine; dried (MgSO₄);and evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on 30g. of silica gel using 30% v/v ethyl acetate in petroleum ether (b.p.60°-80° C.) as the eluent, to give 1.0 g. (97%) methyl4-[6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate, as alight pink solid; m.p. 57°-61° C.

The starting ester (L) was obtained in 92% yield as a solid, m.p.131.5°-132° C., using an analogous procedure to that described inExample 33, but starting with methyl 4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzoate andwith intermediate isolation of methyl4-(6-nitroindazol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate in 28% yield, as a paleyellow powder, m.p. 137°-137.5° C.

EXAMPLE 75

A solution of 0.70 g. methyl4-(6-aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (L) and 0.33 ml.2,6-lutidine in 10 ml. of methylene chloride was cooled to -20 C. undera nitrogen atmosphere and treated dropwise with 0.30 ml.n-butylchloroformate. The solution obtained was stirred at roomtemperature for 2 hours and then diluted with 75 ml. of ethyl acetate.This mixture was washed successively with saturated sodium carbonate andbrine; dried (MgSO₄); and evaporated. The residue was purified by flashchromatography on 25 g. silica gel using 25% v/v ethyl acetate inpetroleum ether (b.p. 60°-80° C.) and the solid obtained recrystallizedfrom 50% v/v ether/petroleum ether (b.p. 40°-60° C.) to give 0.79 g.(85%) of methyl4-[6-(butoxycarbonyl)aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate as awhite solid, m.p. 112°-112.5° C.; microanalysis, found: C, 64.16; H,6.17; N, 9.85%; C₂₂ H₂₅ N₃ O₅ requires: C, 64.22; H, 6.12; N, 10.2%.

EXAMPLES 76-77

Using a similar procedure to that described in Ex. 34, the followingcompounds were made starting from the corresponding methyl esters:

EXAMPLE 76

4-[6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoic acid as awhite solid; in 76% yield, m.p. 244-245 (d) °C.; microanalysis, found:C, 70.18; H, 5.56; N, 9.25%; C₂₆ H₂₅ N₃ O₄ requires: C, 70.40; H, 5.68;N, 9.47%.

EXAMPLE 77

4-[6-(butoxycarbonyl)aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl-3-methoxybenzoic acid as awhite solid in 88% yield; m.p. 213.5-214 (d) °C.; microanalysis, found:C, 63.11; H, 6.17; N, 10.31%; C₂₁ H₂₃ N₃ O₅ requires: C, 63.45; H, 5.83;N, 10.57%.

EXAMPLES 78-83

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 9 but startingfrom the appropriate carboxylic acid of the formula Re.CO₂ H, thefollowing esters of formula 1 were obtained:

    ______________________________________                                        Example                                                                              Re            Yield (%) Partial NMR                                    ______________________________________                                        78     1-Ph-ethyl*   46        1.6(d, 3H, CH.sub.3),                                                         3.6(t, 1H, PhC .sub.--H),                                                     7.3(s, 5H, Ph)                                 79     1-Ph-pentyl   55        0.9(t, 3H, CH.sub.3),                                                         3.4(t, 1H, PhC .sub.--H),                                                     7.3(s, 5H, Ph)                                 80     3-heptyl      36        0.9(t, 6H, 2CH.sub.3),                                                        1.5(m, 9H)                                     81     cyclopentylmethyl                                                                           22        1.6(m, 9H),                                                                   2.3(s, 2H, CH.sub.2)                           82     4-methylbenzyl                                                                              72        2.4(s, 3H, CH.sub.3),                                                         3.6(s, 2H, PhC .sub.--H.sub.2)                 ______________________________________                                         *Ph = phenyl                                                             

Similarly, starting from methyl4-(6-amino-2,3,5-trimethylindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (itselfobtained using the procedures described for A in Example 1 but startingfrom 2,3,5-trimethyl-6-nitroindole [G]) and 2-phenylbutyric acid, therewas obtained methyl3-methoxy-4-[2,3,5-trimethyl-6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-benzoate[Example 83] in 32% yield as a white solid; partial NMR: 0.9 (t,3H,CH₂CH₃), 1.2 (m,2H, CH₂ CH₃), 3.4 (t,1H,CHPh), 7.3 (s,5H,Ph).

EXAMPLES 84-85

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 16 but startingwith the appropriate isocyanate there were obtained:

(Example 84) methyl4-(6-N'-cyclohexylureidoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate in 51% yieldas a solid; partial NMR: 1.4 (br m, 10H), 4.5 (br d, 1H);

(Example 85): methyl3-methoxy-4-(6-N'-o-trifluoromethylphenylureidoindol-1-ylmethyl)benzoatein 63% yield as a solid; partial NMR: 6.3-7.5 (aromatic H).

EXAMPLE 86-89

Using an analogous procedure to that described in Example 22 butstarting with the appropriate chloroformate of the formula ReO.CO.Cl,the following esters of formula 11 were obtained:

    ______________________________________                                        Example   Re        Yield (%)   Partial NMR                                   ______________________________________                                        86        hexyl     99          1.9(t, 3H, CH.sub.3),                                                         1.3(m, 6H),                                                                   1.7(m, 2H),                                                                   4.1(t, 2H, OCH.sub.2)                         87        1-menthol.sup.+                                                                         76          0.8(d, 3H, CH.sub.3),                                                         0.9(d, 6H, CH.sub.3),                                                         4.6(m, 1H, OCH)                               88        benzyl    99          5.2(s, 2H, C .sub.--H.sub.2 Ph)                                               7.3(2, 5H, Ph)                                ______________________________________                                         (.sup.+ derived from 1menthol)                                           

Similarly, starting from methyl4-(6-amino-2,3,5-trimethylindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate and butylchloroformate, methyl4-[6-(butoxycarbonyl)-amino-2,3,5-trimethylindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate(Example 39) was obtained in 99% yield as a white solid; partial NMR:0.9 (t, 3H, CH₂ CH₃), 1.3 (m,2H,CH₂ CH₃), 1.5 (m,2H, CH₂ OCH₂ O), 4.1(t,2H,CH₂ O), 4.1 (t,2H,CH₂ O).

EXAMPLE 90

A solution of 0.80 g. methyl4-(6-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (A) in 13 ml. anhydrousdioxane was treated with a solution of 0.31 ml; trichloromethylchloroformate in 13 ml. dioxane. The reaction vessel was continuouslypurged with nitrogen and the effluent bubbled through aqueous potassiumhydroxide to destroy any liberated phosgene. The in situ formation ofthe isocyanate of A was followed by TLC. After 30 minutes 0.75 ml.cyclopentanol and a catalytic amount of triethylamine were added to thereaction solution which was then heated to 80° C. for 2.5 hours andsubsequently evaporated. The resultant residue was purified by flashchromatography on a 6×25 cm. silica gel column using 7% v/v ethylacetate in toluene as the eluent to give 0.92 g. (84%) of methyl4-[6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate asa white solid; NMR: 1.7 (m,8H, (CH₂)₄), 3.9 (s,3H,OCH₃), 4.0(s,3H,OCH.sub. 3), 5.2 (br,1H,CHO), 5.3 (s, 2H,NCH₂), 6.5 (dd, 1H,H³-indole), 6.6 (br,d, 2H, aromatic+NH), 6.8 (dd, 1H, H⁵ -indole), 7.1(d,1H,H² -indole), 7.2 (d,1 aromatic H), 7.4-7.5 (m,3 aromatic H), 7.6(br s, 1H, H⁷ -indole).

EXAMPLES 91-95

Using an analogous procedure to that described in Example 90 butstarting with the appropriate alcohol, the following esters of formula11 were obtained:

    ______________________________________                                        Example Re          Yield (%)  Partial NMR                                    ______________________________________                                        91      3-pentyl    65         0.9(t, 6H, 2CH.sub.3),                                                        1.5(m, 4H, 2CH.sub.2),                                                        4.6(m, 1H, CHO).                               92      cyclobutyl  57         0.9[br m, 6H,                                                                 (CH.sub.2).sub.3 ],                                                           5.0(t, 1H, CHO).                               93      1-phenylpropyl                                                                            31         0.9(t, 3H, CH.sub.3),                                                         1.8(m, 2H, CH.sub.2),                                                         5.6(t, 1H, CHO),                                                              7.3(s, 5H, Ph)                                 94       .sub.-t-butyl                                                                            21         1.4[s, 9H, C(CH.sub.3).sub.3 ]                 95      cyclohexyl  69         1.1-1.8[br m, 10H,                                                            (CH.sub.3).sub.5 ],                                                           4.6(br, 1H, CHO)                               ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 96

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 90 but usingcyclopentylamine instead of cyclopentanol, methyl4-(6-N'-cyclopentylureidoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate wasobtained in 54% yield as a pale yellow solid; partial NMR: 1.2-2.0 [brm, 8H,(CH₂)₄ ], 4.4 (m,1H,CHNH), 4.9 (d,1H,CHNH).

EXAMPLE 97

Using a similar procedure to that described in EX.22, but starting frommethyl 5-(6-aminoindol- 1-ylmethyl)furan-2-carboxylate and cyclopentylchloroformate, there was obtained methyl5-[6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]furan-2-carboxylatein 53% yield, as an off-white solid; partial NMR: 1.5-200 [br m, 8H,(CH₂)₄ ], 6.2 (d, 1H, CH.CH═C), 6.6 (br.s, 1H,NH).

The starting amino-indole was obtained as a solid in 99% yield withpartial NMR: 3.5 (s,2H,NH₂), 3.9 (s,3H,OCH₃), 5.2 (s,2H,NCH₂), using aprocedure similar to that described in parts (a) and (b) of Ex.1 butstarting from methyl 5-chloromethylfuran-2-carboxylate.

EXAMPLE 98

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 23 but replacingthe bromo ester (F) by methyl 7-bromoheptanoate, there was obtainedmethyl 7-(6-hexanamidoindol-1-ylmethyl)heptanoate in 35% yield as asolid, m.p. 61°-63° C.

EXAMPLE 99

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 23 but using6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indole (M) in place of 6-hexanamidoindole (E),there was obtained methyl4-[6-(2-ethylexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-benzoate as a white solid in32% yield, m.p. 139°-141° C.

The starting indole M was obtained in an analogous manner to thatdescribed for 6-hexanamidoindole (E) in part (b) of Example 23 but using2-ethylhexanoyl chloride in place of hexanoyl chloride, and was obtainedas a light brown powder in 56% yield, m.p. 154°-156° C.

EXAMPLES 100-104

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 99 the followingesters of the formula 12 (wherein R¹ =methyl) were obtained using theappropriate benzyl bromide derivative of the formula 13:

    ______________________________________                                                        G.sup.2 (and location                                         Example                                                                              Rd       on Q)        Yield (%)                                                                             m.p. (1/4C.)                             ______________________________________                                        100    H        direct link (3)                                                                            39      125-126                                  101    2-F      direct link (4)                                                                            40      155-157                                  102    2-OCH.sub.3                                                                            vinyl (5)    42      150-152                                  103    3-Br     direct link (4)                                                                            33      *                                        104    2-O.butyl                                                                              direct link (4)                                                                            63      **                                       ______________________________________                                         Notes:                                                                        *non-crystalline; partial NMR: 6.9 (d, 1 aromatic H),                         **non-crystalline; microanalysis, found: C, 73.00; H, 8.04; N, 5.60%;         C.sub.29 H.sub.38 N.sub.2 O.sub.4 requires: C, 72.77; H 8.00; N, 5.85%.  

Methyl 4-bromomethyl-3-butoxybenzoate (required for Example 104) may beobtained as an oil in 66% yield [partial NMR: 3.94 (s,3H, CO₂ CH₃), 4.10(m,2H,CH₂ O), 4.58 (s,2H,CH₂ Br)] by brominatin of methyl3-butoxy-4-methylbenzoate (N) using the general procedure described forB in Example 1(d) but with purification by flash chromatography onsilica gel using 2% v/v ethyl acetate in petroleum ether (b.p. 60°-80°C.).

The starting ester N was itself obtained as a pale yellow oil in 92%yield [partial NMR: 2.26 (s,3H, CH₃.C), 3.90 (s,3H, CO₂ CH₃), 4.03(m,2H, CH₂ O)[] by alkylation of methyl 3-hydroxy-4-methylbenzoate (0)using butyl bromide and potassium carbonate in refluxing acetone. Theester 0 was obtained in 73% yield as a solid, m.p. 112°-114° C.[recrystallised from ether/petroleum ether (b.p. 40°-60° C.)] by aconventional acid catalysed esterification of 3-hydroxy-4-methylbenzoicacid.

EXAMPLES 105-110

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 1 the followingesters of the formula 14 were obtained by acylation of the appropriate6-aminoindole ester of the formula 4 using the appropriate acid chlorideof the formula Re.X.CO.Cl, the required starting esters of formula 4being obtained from known 6-nitro-indoles using analogous procedures tothose described in preceding Examples:

    __________________________________________________________________________    Ex. R    Ra   Re    X     Yield (%)                                                                           Partial NMR                                   __________________________________________________________________________    105 (CH.sub.2).sub.2.CH(et)CH.sub.2                                                         pentyl                                                                              direct link                                                                         99    1.0(t, 3, CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.3)          106 (CH).sub.2.C(Et).CH                                                                     pentyl                                                                              direct link                                                                         40    2.8(q, 2H, C.C .sub.--H.sub.2 CH.sub.3)       .sup. 107.sup.+                                                                   CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                           Ph.CH(Et)                                                                           direct link                                                                         49    0.9(t, 3H, CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.3),                                        2.0(m, 2H, C .sub.--H.sub.2 CH.sub.3)         108 CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                           butyl 0     70    0.9(t, 3H, CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.3),                                        4.1(t, 2H, OCH.sub.2)                         109 CH.sub.3                                                                           H    butyl 0     44    2.3(s, 3H, CH.sub.3),                                                         6.3(s, 1H, H.sup.3 -indole).                  __________________________________________________________________________     Note:                                                                         (i) In Example 105, 106 the CH.sub.2 or CH adjacent to "C(Et)" is attache     at C.sup.3 of the indole i.e. to Ra;                                          (ii) Ph = phenyl, Et = ethyl.                                                 (iii) .sup.+ prepared from 2phenylbutyric acid using the modified             acylation procedure of Example 9.                                        

Similarly starting from methyl4-(4-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate and hexanoyl chloridethere was obtained methyl4-(4-hexanamidoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (Example 110) in 74%yield as a non-crystalline solid, partial NMR: 7.0 (t,1H, H⁶ -indole),7.1 (d,1H,H⁵ -indole), 7.6 (d,1H, H⁷ -indole).

EXAMPLES 111-145

Using the same general procedure as described in Example 34, thefollowing acids of formula 5 may be obtained by hydrolysis of theircorresponding methyl esters:

    ______________________________________                                        Example  Re            m.p. (°C.)                                                                       Yield (%)                                    ______________________________________                                        111      1-phenylethyl  209-210* 38                                           112      1-phenylpentyl                                                                              230-231   62                                           113      3-heptyl       230-231* 68                                           114      cyclopentylmethyl                                                                           259-260   35                                           115      4-methylbenzyl                                                                              254-255   54                                           ______________________________________                                         *Isolated as a partial hydrate.                                          

Similarly, the following acids of the formula 6 (Xa=oxygen ) wereobtained by hydrolysis of their corresponding methyl esters:

    ______________________________________                                        Example Re           X      m.p. (°C.)                                                                     Yield (%)                                 ______________________________________                                        116     cyclohexyl   NH     252-254 (d)                                                                           41                                        117     2-CF.sub.3 -phenyl                                                                         NH     223-225  6                                                                    (0.5 H.sub.2 O)                                   118     hexyl        O      172-174 36                                        119     1-menthyl    O      205-206 55                                        120     benzyl       O      176-178 13                                        121     3-pentyl     O      232-233 20                                        122     cyclobutyl   O      238-239 67                                        123     1-phenylpropyl                                                                             O      197-198 36                                        124     t-butyl      O      200-201 48                                        125     cyclohexyl   O      242-243 49                                        126     cyclopentyl  NH     247-248 (d)                                                                           42                                        ______________________________________                                    

Similarly, the following acids of the formula 12 (R¹ -hydrogen) wereobtained by hydrolysis of their corresponding methyl esters:

    ______________________________________                                                         G.sup.2 (and location                                                                             m.p.                                     Ex.  Rd          on Q)         Yield (°C.)                             ______________________________________                                        127  H           direct link (4)                                                                             91    208-210                                  128  H           direct link (3)                                                                             98    216-218                                  129  2-F         direct link (4)                                                                             96      215-216.5                              130  2-OCH.sub.3 vinyl (5)     75    202-205                                  131  3-Br        direct link (4)                                                                             43    186-187                                  132  2-O(CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3                                                              direct link (4)                                                                             70    197-199                                  ______________________________________                                    

Similarly, the following acids of the formula 15 were obtained byhydrolysis of their corresponding methyl esters:

    ______________________________________                                                                              m.p.    yield                           Ex.  R      Ra       Re      X   Rc   (°C.)                                                                          (%)                             ______________________________________                                        133  CH.sub.3                                                                             CH.sub.3 Ph.CH(Et)                                                                             --  H    242-243 36                                                                    (d)                                     134  CH.sub.3                                                                             CH.sub.3 Ph.CH(Et)                                                                             --  CH.sub.3                                                                           .sup. 280-281.sup.+                                                                    6                                                                    (d)                                     135  CH.sub.3                                                                             CH.sub.3 butyl   O   H    188-189 36                              136  CH.sub.3                                                                             CH.sub.3 butyl   O   CH.sub.3                                                                           225-226 29                              137  CH.sub.3                                                                             H        butyl   O   H    145-146 46                              138  H      Cl       butyl   O   H    207-208 61                              139  H      COCH.sub.3                                                                             1-Et-pentyl                                                                           --  H    248-249 50                              140  H      CH.sub.3 1-Et-pentyl                                                                           --  H    267-268 47                                                                    (d)                                     ______________________________________                                         Notes:                                                                        (i) X is a direct link for Exs. 133, 134, 139, 140                            (ii).sup.+  isolated as a partial hydrate                                     (iii) Ph = phenyl, Et = ethyl                                            

Similarly, the following acids of formula I were obtained by hydrolysisof their corresponding methyl esters:

(Example 141):4-(6-ethyl-2-hexanamidocarbazol-9-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoic acid, in38% yield as a solid, m.p. 241°-242° C.;

(Example 142):4-(3-ethyl-7-hexanamido-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazol-9-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoicacid, in 29% yield as a solid monohydrate, m.p. 185°-186° C.;

(Example 143): 4-(4-hexanamidoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoic acid,in 78% yield as a solid, m.p. 204°-205° C.

(Example 144): 6-(6-hexanamidoindol-1-yl)hexanoic acid, in 56% yield asa solid, m.p. 86°-89° C.; and

(Example 145):5-[6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-furan-2-carboxylicacid in 60% yield as a solid, m.p. 208°-209° C.

EXAMPLES 146-149

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 67 but startingfrom the appropriate nitrile, the following tetrazole derivatives wereobtained:

(Example 146): 6-hexanamido-1-(7-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]heptyl)indole in15% yield as a solid, m.p. 134°-135° C., starting from6-hexanamido-1-(7-cyanoheptyl)indole (P);

(Example 147): 6-hexanamido-1-(8-[2(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]octyl)indole in 23%yield as a partial hydrate, m.p. 129°-131° C. starting from6-hexanamido-1-(8-cyano-octyl)indole (Q);

(Example 148): 6-hexanamido-1-(4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5yl]benzyl)indole in 50%yield as a hemi-hydrate, m.p. 134°-136° C., starting from1-(4-cyanobenzyl)-6-hexanamidoindole (R); and

(Example 149): 6-hexanamido-1-(3-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl) indole in51% yield as a solid m.p. 214°-216° C. starting from1-(3-cyanobenzyl)-6-hexanamido-indole (S).

The necessary starting material P was obtained as follows:

A stirred solution of 140 mg. 1-(7-bromoheptyl)-6-hexanamidoindole(obtained in 69% yield as a light yellow powder, m.p. 98°-101° C., bysodium hydride alkylation of 6-hexanamidoindole with 1,7-dibromoheptaneaccording to the general method of Example 23) in 6 ml.dimethylsulphoxide was maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere andtreated with 54 mg. sodium cyanide followed by 100 mg. 18-crown-6(1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane). After 1 hour the solution wasdiluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combinedextracts were washed with water, then brine, dried (MgSO₄) andevaporated to give 1-(7-cyanoheptyl)indole (P) a white solid (82 mg.,67% yield), m.p. 85°-86° C., after recrysatillisation from ethylacetate/hexane.

Starting material Q was made in an analogous manner using1,8-dibromo-octane and obtained in 77% yield as a white solid, m.p.104°-105° C.

Starting materials R and S were obtained as solids of m.p. 106°-109° C.and 133°-136° C. in yields of 59% and 44%, respectively, by sodiumhydride alkylation of 6-hexanamidoindole with 4-bromomethyl- and3-bromomethylbenzonitrile, respectively, using the general method ofExample 23.

Example 150

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 67, but startingfrom 1-(4-cyano-2-methoxybenzyl)-6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indole (T), therewas obtained6-(2-ethylhexanamido)-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indolein 73% yield as a solid, m.p. 211°-212° C.

The starting nitrile T was obtained in 53% yield as a white solid, m.p.177°-178°0 C., by sodium hydride alkylation of6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indole with 4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzonitrile,using the general method of Example 23.

EXAMPLES 151-154

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 67 the followingtetrazole derivatives of formula 16 were obtained from the correspondingnitriles of formula 17:

    ______________________________________                                                        G.sup.2 (+ position on                                                                       m.p.   yield                                   Ex.    Rd       ring Q)        °C.                                                                           (%)                                     ______________________________________                                        151    2-OCH.sub.3                                                                            direct link (4)                                                                              118-120*                                                                             29                                      152    H        vinyl (4)      252-255*                                                                             15                                      153    H        methylene (4)  151-153                                                                              23                                      154    H        methylene (3)  167-170*                                                                             76                                      ______________________________________                                         *hemi-hydrate                                                            

The necessary starting nitriles of formula 17 for Exs.151 and 152 wereobtained by sodium hydride alkylation of 6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indole(U) with the appropriate bromomethylbenzene using the general procedureof Example 23 and had the following properties:

(a) (for Ex.151): solid, m.p. 70°-72° C., obtained in 54% yield using4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzonitrile and U; (b) (for Ex.153): solid, m.p.132°-134° C. obtained in 51% yield using3-(4-bromomethylphenyl)acrylonitrile and U.

The necessary nitriles of formula 17 for Exs. 153 and 154 were obtainedin an analogous manner to that described for P in Example 146, that isby medium hydride alkylation of U with the appropriate alpha,alpha'-dibromoxylene followed by reaction of the intermediate1-(bromomethylbenzyl)-6-(2-phenylbutanamido) indole with sodium cyanidein the presence of 18-crown-6. The nitriles and intermediatebromomethylbenzyl derivatives were used without characterisation.

The starting indole U was obtained as follows:

To a solution of 221 mg. of 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole in 2 ml. methylenechloride which had been heated under reflux for 30 minutes in a nitrogenatmosphere and then cooled was added a solution of 200 mg. 6-aminoindolein 2 ml. methylene chloride. The mixture was stirred for 16 hours andthen diluted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution was thenwashed successively with 10% w/v aqueous hydrochloric acid, water andsaturated brine, then dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residual oilobtained was purified by chromatography on silica gel using 20% v/vethylacetate/hexane as eluent to give 6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indole (U)in 69% yield as a solid, m.p. 143°-144° C.

EXAMPLES 155-156

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 73 the followingtetrazoles were obtained:

(Example 155): 6-hexanamido-1-(7-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-ylthio]hepthyl)indole,in 11% yield as a partial hydrate, m.p. 116°-117°0 C., starting from1-(7-bromoheptyl)6-hexanamidoindole; and

(Example 156): 6-hexanamido-1-(5-[1(H)-tetrazole-5-ylthio]pentyl)indole,in 21% yield as a solid, m.p. 108°-109° C., starting from1-(5-bromophenyl)-6-hexanamidoindole, (itself obtained in 61% yield as asolid, m.p. 60.5°-62° C. by sodium hydride alkylation of6-hexanamidoindole with 1,5-dibromopentane using the general procedureof Example 23).

Example 157

A solution of 4.0 g.6-amino-(2-methoxy-4-[(1H)tetrazole-5-yl]benzyl)indole (V) in a mixtureof 10 ml. N-methylpyrrolidone, 10 ml. tetrahydrofuran and 2.2 ml.2,6-lutidine was added dropwise to a stirred, ice-cooled solution of2.57 g. butyl chloroformate in 10 ml. tetrahydrofuran, maintained undera nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was allowed to attain roomtemperature during 2 hours and then left for 14 hours. Solid was removedby filtration and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure.The oily residue was dissolved in 35 ml. of 20% w/v potassium carbonatesolution, basified to pH10 with 10% w/v sodium hydroxide solution andextracted with ethyl acetate. These extracts were discarded. The aqueousphase was acidified to pH 1 with 6M hydrochloric acid and re-extractedwith ethyl acetate. These extracts were combined, washed with water andthen with saturated brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The solidresidue was recrystallised from ethyl acetate to give 2.8 g. (54%) of6-(butoxycarbonyl)amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indoleas a yellow powder, m.p. 194°-195° C.; microanalysis, found: C, 62.69;H, 5.72; N, 20.00%; C₂₂ H₂₄ N₆ O₃ requires: C, 62.58; H, 5.75; N,19.99%.

The starting material V was obtained as follows:

(a) 6-Nitroindole as alkylated with 4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzonitrilein the presence of potassium carbonate using the general proceduredescribed. in Ex 1(a) to give 1-(4-cyano-2-methoxybenzyl)-6-nitroindole(W) in 78% yield as a solid, m.p. 190.5°-191° C.

(b) The nitrile W was converted to the corresponding tetrazole,1-(2-methoxy-4-[1-(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)-6 -nitroindole (X), obtainedin 86% yield as a yellow-green solid, m.p. 258°-260° C. (d) using thegeneral procedure of Example 67.

(c) A solution of 4.76 g.×in 2.3 ml. of 6M potassium hydroxide solutionand 180 ml. methanol was treated with 480 ml. 10% w/w palladium oncharcoal and then hydrogenated at a pressure of 3.45 bar for 2 hours.Catalyst was removed by filtration through diatomaceous earth and thefiltrate was evaporated. Treatment of the residual oil with saturatedmonobasic sodium phosphate solution produced a precipitate which wascollected and dried to give 6-amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-]1(H)-tetrazole-1-5-yl]benzyl)indole (V) in quantitative yield as a grey powder; NMR: 4.0(s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.2 (s,2H, NCH₂), 6.3 (d, 1H, H³ -indole), 6.4 (d,1H,H⁵-indole), 6.5 (s, 1 aromatic H), 6.7 (d, 1aromatic H), 7.1 (d, 1H, H²-indole), 7.2 (d, 1H, H⁴ -indole), 7.5 (d, 1 aromatic H), 7.7 s,1H, H⁷-indole).

EXAMPLES 158-160

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 157, but usingcyclophenyl chloroformate as the acylating agent, there was obtained6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indole(Example 158) in 57% yield as a solid, m.p. 216°-218° C.; microanalysis,found; C, 63.63; H, 5.28, N, 19.21%; C₂₃ H₂₄ N₆ O₃ requires: C, 63.87;H, 5.59; N, 19.43%.

Similarly, using butyl chloroformate and6-amino-1-(6-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]hexyl)indole (Y), there was obtained6-(butoxycarbonyl)amino-1-[6-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl) hexyl]indole (Example159) in 44% yield as a white solid m.p. 117°-118° C. microanalysisfound: C, 62.27; H, 7.34; N, 21.67%; C₂₀ H₂₈ N₆ O₂ requires: C, 62.48;H, 7.34; N, 21.86%.

Similarly, using cyclopentyl chloroformate and indole Y, there wasobtained6-(cyclopenyloxycarbonyl)amino-1-(6-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]hexyl)indole(Example 160) in 28% yield as a pale yellow powder, m.p. 141.5°-142.5°C.; microanalysis, found: C, 63.78; H, 7.10; N, 21.03%; C₂₁ H₂₈ N₆ O₂requires: C, 63.62; H, 7.12; N, 21.20%.

The starting material Y was obtained from 6-nitroindole and7-bromoheptanonitrile using an analogous procedure to that for V givenin Example 159.

Example 161

6-Amino-(2-methoxy-4-(1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indazole (Z) wasacylated with butyl chloroformate, using the procedure described inExample 159, to give6-(butyloxycarbonyl)amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indazolein 40% yield as a white solid, m.p. 210.5°-211.5° C. (d); microanalysis,found: C, 59.84; H, 5.69; N, 23.17%; C₂₁ H₂₃ N₇ O₃ : requires: C, 59.84;H₇ 5.50; N, 23.26%.

The starting material Z was obtained as follows:

(a) 4-(6-nitroindazol-1-yl)methyl-3-methoxybenzonitrile (AA) wasobtained in 24% yield as a solid, m.p. 207°-208° C., from sodium6-nitroindazolide and 4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzonitrile using ananalogous procedure to that described for J in Ex. 22.

(b) 1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl-6-nitroindazole (BB) wasobtained in 98% yield as a solid, m.p. 152°-153.5° C. (d) by reaction ofbenzonitrile AA with sodium azide and triethylamine hydrochoride inN-methyl-pyrrolidone at 150° C. for 3 hours under an atmosphere ofnitrogen using the procedures described for Ex. 67.

(c) 6-Amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]-benzyl)indazole (Z) wasobtained in 79% yield as a pale yellow solid, m.p. 247°-248° C. (d), by10% w/w palladium-on-charcoal catalyst hydrogenation (1.1 bar for 2hours) of the nitro compound BB, using the procedure described for V inExample 157.

EXAMPLE 162

Using a similar procedure to that described in Ex. 161, but usingcyclopentyl chloroformate as the acylating agent, there was obtained in66% yield6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazole-5-yl]benzyl)indazoleas a white solid, m.p. 203.5°-204.5° C. (d); microanalysis, found: C,60,90; H,5.43; N,22.24%; C₂₂ H₂₃ N₇ O₃ requires: C, 60.95; H, 5.34;N,22.62%.

EXAMPLE 163

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 161, but startingfrom 2-ethylhexanoyl chloride and6-amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indazole (V), therewas obtained6-(2-ethylhexanamido)-1-(2-methoxy-4-[2(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indazolein 56% yield as a white solid, m.p. 203°-204° C.; microanalysis, found:C,64.35; H,6.43; N, 21.80%; C₂₄ H₂₉ N₇ O₂ requires: C,64.41; H,6.53;N,21.90%.

EXAMPLE 164

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 9, but startingfrom 2-phenylbutyric acid and6-amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indazole (V), therewas obtained1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)-6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indazolein 48% yield as a pale pink solid, m.p. 202°-203° C. (d); microanalysis,found: C, 66.05; H, 5.40; N, 20.70; C₂₆ H₂₅ N₇ O₂.0.25 H₂ O requires: C,66.15; H, 5.44; N, 20.77%.

EXAMPLE 165

Using the analogous procedure to that described in Example 1, butstarting from methyl 4-(6-aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate and2-ethylhexanoyl chloride, there was obtained methyl4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate in 68% yield as awhite solid, m.p. 135.5°-136.5° C.; microanalysis, found: C, 68.37; H,7.10; N, 9.43%; C₂₅ H₃₁, N₃ O₄ requires: C, 68.64; H, 7.14; N, 9.60%.

EXAMPLE 166

Using an analogous procedure to that described in Example 75, butstarting from cyclopentyl chloroformte and methyl4-(6-aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate, there was obtainedmethyl 4-[6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate in 73% yield as a pale pinksolid, m.p. 150°-151° C.; microanalysis, found: C,65.05; H,5.95;N,9.47%; C₂₃ H₂₅ N₃ O₅ requires: C, 65.24; H, 5.95; N,9.92%.

EXAMPLES 167-170

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 34, the followingcarboxylic acids of the formula 18 were obtained by hydrolysis of thecorresponding methyl esters:

    ______________________________________                                        Example  Re            m.p. (°C.)                                                                         Yield (%)                                  ______________________________________                                        167      1-phenylpropyl                                                                              244-245(d)  76                                         168      butoxy        213.5-214(d)                                                                              88                                         169      3-heptyl      249-250.5   69                                         170      cyclopentyloxy                                                                              235-236.5   39                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 171

A solution of 0.52 g. t-butyl4-(6-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (CC) and 0.31 ml.triethylamine in 8 ml. methylene chloride was treated with 0.24 ml.heptafluorobutyryl chloride at 0° C. After stirring for 24 hours thesolution was diluted with methylene chloride, washed successively with10% v/v hydrochloric acid, water, and brine, then dried (MgSO₄) andevaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on a 6×20cm. silica gel column using 5% v/v ethyl acetate in hexane as the eluentto give 0.41 g. (51%) of t-butyl4-(6-heptafluorobutanamidoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate as ayellow solid; NMR: 1.6 [s, 9H, (CH₃)₃ C], 3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₂), 5.3 (s, 2H,NCH₂), 6.5 (d, 1H, H³ -indole), 6.7 (d, 1H, Ar); 7.0 (d, 1H, H⁵-indole), 7.4 (d,1H,H² -indole), 7.9 (d, 1H, H⁷ -indole); 8.0 (s, 1H,CO.NH).

The starting amine (CC) was obtained as follows:

a) A solution of 10.0 g 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoic acid, 1 ml.concentrated sulphuric acid, and 200 ml. condensed isobutylene in 200ml. methylene chloride was placed in a pressure vessel and stirred for16 hours. The vessel was then opened to vent unreacted isobutylene. Theremaining liquid was poured into 150 ml. of 10% w/v sodium hydroxidesolution and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined extractswere washed with saturated brine, dried (MgSO₄), and evaporated. Theresidue was purified by flash chromatography on a 7×18 cm silica gelcolumn using 10% v/v ethyl acetate in hexane as the eluant to give 9.1g. (70%) of t-butyl 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoate as a colourless oil; NMR:1.6 [s,9H, C(CH₃)₃ ], 2.27 (s,3H,CH₃), 3.86 (s, 3H,OCH₃), 7.11 (d,1H),7.49 (m,2H).

b) A suspension of 8.92 g. t-butyl 3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoate, 8.57 g.N-bromosuccinimide, and 0.1 g, benzoyl peroxide in 150 ml.carbontetrachloride was heated to reflux and iradiated with a sun lampfor 1 hour. After cooling to room temperature, solid was removed formthe suspension by filtration. The filtrate was evaporated. The resultantresidue was purified by flash chromatography on a 7×18 cm. silica gelcolumn using 5% v/v ethyl acetate in hexane as the eluent to give 11.52g. (95%) of t-butyl 3-methoxy-4-bromomethylbenzoate as a pale yellowoil; NMR: 1.5 (s,9H, C(CH₃)₃ ], 3.9 (s,3H, OCH₃), 4.5 (s, 2H, CH₂ Br),7.15 (d, 1H), 7.4 (m, 2H).

c) t-Butyl 3-methoxy-4-bromomethyl benzoate was reacted with6-nitroindole and potassium carbonate using the procedure described inpart (a) of Example 1 to give in 98% yield t-butyl4-(6-nitroindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate as a yellow solid; NMR:0.6 [s, 9H, C(CH₃)₃ ], 4.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.4 (s, 2H, NCH₂) 6.6 (dd, 1H,H³⁻ indole), 6.8 (d, 1 aromatic H), 6.8-8.0 (m, 5H, Ar), 8.4 (d, 1H, H⁷-indole).

d) t-Butyl 4-(6-nitroindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate wascatalytically hydrogenated using the procedure described in part (b) ofExample 1 to give a quantitative yield of t-butyl4-(6-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (CC) as a light brownsolid; partial NMR: 1.6 [s, 9H, (CH₃)₃ C], 4.1 (br d, 2H, NH₂), 5.2 (s,2H, NCH₂).

EXAMPLE 172

A solution of 0.25 g. t-butyl4-(6-heptafluorobutanamidoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate and 152.3microlitres triethylamine in 1.0 ml. dioxane was treated with 185microlitres trimethylsilyl triflate and the mixture stirred for 48hours. Addition of water then gave a precipitate which was collected byfiltration and recrystallised from ethyl acetate/hexane to give 22 mg.(10%) of 4-(6-heptafluorobutanamidoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoicacid as a light brown powder, m.p. 213°-215° C.; microanalysis, found:C, 51.27; H, 3.24; N, 5.47%; C₂₁ H₁₅ N₂ O₄ F₇ requires: C, 51.23; H,3.07; N, 5.69%.

EXAMPLE 173

A solution of 0.76 g. methyl4-[6-(N-butoxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate in 10ml. carbon tetrachloride was added to a suspension of 0.25 g.N-chlorosuccinimide in 9 ml. carbon tetrachloride. The mixture washeated under reflux for 45 minutes, cooled and succinimide removed byfiltration. The filtrate was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonatesolution, then with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue waspurified by flash chromatography on a 4×20 cm. silica gel column using25% v/v hexane in methylene chloride as the eluent. There was thusobtained 0.36 g. (44%) of methyl4-[6-(butoxycarbonyl)amino-3-chloroindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoateas a white solid; NMR: 0.9 [t, 3H, (CH₂)₃ CH₃ ], 1.4 [br m, 4H, CH₂(CH₂)₂ CH₃ ], 3.8 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 4.1 [t, 2H, CH₂(CH₂)₂ CH₃ ], 5.2 (s, 2H, NCH₂), 6.6 (d, 1 aromatic H), 6.75 (dd, 1H, H⁵-indole), 6.8 (s, 1H, NH), 7.0 (3, 1H, H² -indole), 7.4 (d, 1 aromaticH), 7.5 (s, 1 aromatic H), 7.7 (s, 1H, H⁷ -indole).

EXAMPLE 174

A solution of 0.5 g. 3-acetyl-6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indole (DD) in 4 ml.of dimethylformamide was added to a slurry of 0.072 g. sodium hydride in2 ml. of dimethylformamide and the mixture stirred for 1 hour. Asolution of 0.518 g. methyl 4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzoate in 2 ml. ofdimethylformamide was then added and the mixture stirred for a further 1hour. The reaction mixture was then quenched by addition of saturatedammonium chloride solution, diluted with water and extracted with ethylacetate. The combined extracts were washed with water, then withsaturated brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue was purifiedby flash chromatography on a 5×20 cm. silica gel column using 50% v/vethyl acetate in hexane as the eluent to give 0.3 g. of methyl4-[3-acetyl-6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate asa white solid; NMR: 0.9 (t, 6H, 2CH₃), 2.1 (t, 1H, CO.CH), 2.4 (s, 3H,CO.CH₃), 3.8 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.3 (s, 2H, NCH₂), 6.8(d, 1 aromatic H), 6.9 (dd, 1H, H⁵ -indole), 7.3 (s, 1H, NH), 7.48 (dd,1 aromatic H), 7.5 (s, 1H, H² -indole), 7.6 (s, 1 aromatic H), 8.2 (d,1H, H⁴ -indole), 8.3 (s, 1H, H⁷ -indole).

The starting indole DD was obtained as follows:

1.9 g. of phosphorus oxychloride was slowly added to 1.48 g. ofN,N-dimethylacetamide at 0° C. The mixture was allowed to attain roomtemperature and a solution of 1.0 g. 6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indole in 2ml. N,N-dimethylacetamide was added. After 15 minutes the reactionsolution was basified to pH 14 with 20% w/v sodium hydroxide solution,briefly heated under reflux, then cooled and extracted with ethylacetate. The combined extracts were washed with water, then with brine,dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give 0.93 g (80%) of3-acetyl-6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indole (DD) as an orange powder; partialNMR: 2.5 (s, 3H), COCH₃), 7.7 (d, 1H, H² -indole), 9.8 (br, s, 1H, NH).

EXAMPLE 175

Using a similar procedure to that described in Ex. 174, but startingfrom 6-(2-ethylhexananido)-3-methylindole (EE) and methyl4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzoate, there was obtained methyl4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)-3-methylindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate in42% yield as a white solid; partial NMR: 0.9 (t, 6H, 2CH₃), 2.3 (d, 3H,indole-CH₃), 3.8 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.9 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 5.2 (s, 2H, NCH₂),6.6 (d, 1H, m-OCH₃), 6.8 (dd, 1H, H⁵ -indole), 7.2 (s, 1H, NH), 8.0 (d,1H, H⁷ -indole).

The 3-methylindole EE was obtained as follows:

(a) 6-(2-Ethylhexanamido)-3-formylindole was prepared in 71% yield as awhite solid [partial NMR: 8.7 (d, 1H, H² -indole), 11.0 (s, 1H, CO.H),11.7 (br s, 1N, NH)] using an analogous procedure to that described forDD in Example 176 but using dimethylformamide in place ofN,N-dimethylacetamide.

(b) 0.239 g. Lithium aluminium hydride was slowly added to a solution of0.9 g. of 6-(2-ethylhexanamido)-3-formylindole in freshly distilledtetrahydrofuran. The mixture was heated under reflux for 30 minutes,then cooled to room temperature and 10% w/v sodium sulphate solutionadded dropwise until effervescence stopped. The white granularprecipitate which formed was removed by filtration. The filtrate wasdried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue was purified by flashchromatography on a 6×20 cm. silica gel column using 25% v/v ethylacetate in hexane as eluent to give 0.51 g. (60%) of6-(2-ethylhexanamido)-3-methylindole (EE) as a white powder; partialNMR: 2.3 (s, 3H, indole-CH₃).

EXAMPLE 176

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 34, there wasobtained4-[6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoicacid in 55% yield as a white solid, m.p. 237°-238° C., by hydrolysis ofthe corresponding methyl ester.

EXAMPLES 177-179

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 9 but using theappropriate carboxylic acid of the formula Re.CO₂ H, the followingesters of formula 1 were obtained:

    ______________________________________                                        Ex    Re           Yield (%)  Partial NMR                                     ______________________________________                                        177   cyclohexylmethyl                                                                           57         2.2(d, 2H, CH.sub.2 CO),                                                      7.2(br s, 1H, NH)                               178   1-phenylpropyl.sup.+                                                                       62         0.91(t, 3H, CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.3),                                       3.4(t, 1H, C .sub.--HCH.sub.2),                                               7.1(br s, 1H, NH),                              179   1-phenylpropyl.sup.++                                                                      71         7.4(s, 5H, Ph)                                  ______________________________________                                         .sup.+ starting from R(-)2-phenylbutyric acid                                 .sup.++ starting from S(+)2-phenylbutyric acid                           

EXAMPLES 180-181

Using the same chlorination procedure as is described in Example 173,these were obtained:

(Example 180): methyl4-[3-chloro-6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate,in 21% yield as a solid, partial NMR: 1.7-1.8 [br m, 8H, (CH₂)₄ ], 3.88(s,3H,OCH₃), 3.94 (s,3H,OCH₃), 6.6 (br s, 1H,NH), 7.0 (s,1H,H² -indole),starting from methyl4-[6-(N-cyclopentyloxycarbonylamino)indole-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate;and

(Example 181): methyl 4-[3-chloro-6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate, in 75% yield as a solid,partial NMR: 2.3 (br s,3H, CHCH₂), 3.88 (s,3H,OCH₃), 3.93 (s,3H,OCH₃),7.0 (s,1H,H² -indole), 7.2 (br s,1H,NH), starting from methyl4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate.

EXAMPLES 182-184

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 90 but startingwith the appropriate alcohol the following esters of formula 11 wereobtained:

    ______________________________________                                                           Yield    Partial                                           Example Re         (%)      NMR                                               ______________________________________                                        182     isopropyl  71       1.9[d, 6H, CH(C .sub.--H.sub.3).sub.2 ],                                      3.87 + 3.94(2s, 2×3H,                                                   OCH.sub.3), 4.8-5.2[m, 1H,                                                    C .sub.--H(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ]                      183     tetrahydro-                                                                              68       1.9-2.3(m, 2H, C .sub.--H.sub.2 CH),                      fur-3-yl            3.7-4.1(m, 4H, CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.2),                                           5.2-5.4(m, 1H, CH.O)                              184     1-cylohexen-                                                                             56       1.5-2.5[m, 6H, C .sub.--H.sub.2.CH.                       4-yl                (C .sub.--H.sub.2).sub.2 ], 4.9-5.2(m,                                        1H, CH.O), 5.2-5.7                                                            (m, 2H, CH═CH)                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 185

A mixture of 0.91 g. of methyl4-(6-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate, 0.57 g. of1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, 0.37 g.4-dimethylaminopyridine and 0.61 g. 2-cyclopentyl-2-phenylacetic acid in15 ml. of methylene chloride was stirred for 24 hours. The reactionsolution was diluted with methylene chloride and washed successivelywith 10% v/v hydrochloric acid, water, 20% w/v sodium hydroxide, water,and brine; then dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give 0.96 g. (66%) ofmethyl4-[6-(2-cyclopentyl-2-phenylacetamidoindol)-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoateas a light brown solid;

NMR 0.9-1.8 (br m, 8H, (CH₂)₄), 2.6 (m,1H,CHCHCO), 3.87 (s,3H,OCH₃), 3.9(s, 3H,OCH₃), 5.2 (s,2H,NCH₂), 6.5 (d,1H, H³ -indole), 6.6 (d,1H,m-MeO-C₅ H₃), 6.8 (dd,1H,H⁵ -indole), 7.1 (d,1H,H² -indole), 8.0 (br s,1H,H⁷ -indole).

EXAMPLES 186-190

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 185 but using theappropriate acid Re.CO₂ H, the following esters of formula 1 wereobtained:

    ______________________________________                                        Ex.   Re          Yield    Partial NMR                                        ______________________________________                                        186   1-cyclohexyl-                                                                             40       0.74-1.3(br m, 5H, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3),                   propyl               1.4-2.0(br m, 12H)                                 187   1-methyl-1- 59       1.65[s, 6H, C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ]                          phenylethyl                                                             188   1-phenyl-   30       1.5-2.8[br m, 9H,                                        cyclopentyl          (CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH], 6.69(br s, -   1H, NH)       189   alpha-methoxy-                                                                            46       3.4(s, 3H, OCH.sub.3), 4.7(s, 1H,                        benzyl               C .sub.--HOCH.sub.3), 8.6(br s, 1H, NH)            190   1-cyclopentyl-                                                                            34       0.9(t, 3H, CH.sub.2 C .sub.--H.sub.3),                                        1.0-2.1                                                  butyl                [brm, 14H, (CH.sub.2).sub.4 CH.CH--                                           (CH.sub.2).sub.2 ], 7.1(br s, 1H,                  ______________________________________                                                                   NH)                                            

EXAMPLE 191

Using a similar procedure to that described in Ex.174 but starting from3-acetyl-6-(N-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindole and methyl4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzoate and using potassium carbonate in placeof sodium hydride, there was obtained methyl4-[3-acetyl-6-(N-cyclopentyloxycarbonylamino)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoatein 78% yield as an off-white solid; partial NMR: 1.5-2.0 [br m,8H,(CH₂)₄ ], 5.2 (s,3H,CO.CH₃), 3.88 (s,3H,OCH₃), 3.94 (s,3H,OCH₃), 5.2(m,1H,CH.O). The starting indole was obtained using a similar procedureto that described for indole DD in Example 174, but starting from6-(N-cyclopentyloxycarbonylamino)indole and was isolated in 31% yield asa light brown powder, partial NMR: 1.5-2.0 [br m,8H,(CH₂)₄ ], 2.5(s,3H,CO.CH₃) 5.2 (m, 1H,CH.O), 7.3 (d,1H,H² -indole).

6-(N-Cyclopentyloxycarbonylamino)indole was itself obtained in 44% yieldas a white solid; NMR: 1.5-2.0 [br m,8H,(CH₂)₄ ], 5.1-5.4 (m,1H,CH.O),6.4 (m,1H,H³ -indole), 6.5 (br s,1H,NH), 7.1 (m,1H,H² -indole); byreaction of 6-aminoindole with cyclopentyl chloroformate using a similarprocedure to that described in Example 22.

EXAMPLE 192

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 185, but startingfrom methyl 4-(6-aminoindolin-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate and2-cyclopentylacetic acid, there was obtained methyl4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido) indolin-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate in26% yield as an off-white solid, partial NMR: 2.3 (br s,3H,CHCH₂), 3.0(t,2H,H³ -indoline), 3.4 (t,2H,H² -indoline).

EXAMPLE 193

A solution of 0.5 g. 5-(N-pentylcarbamoyl)indole (FF) in 7 ml. ofN,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) was added to a stirred slurry of 0.095 g.sodium hydride in 2 ml of DMF. After one hour, a solution of 0.68 g.methyl 4-bromomethyl-3-methoxy benzoate in 5 ml. of DMF was added.Stirring was continued for 24 hours and then the reaction was quenchedby addition of saturated ammonium chloride solution. The mixtureobtained was diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. Theorganic phase was washed with water and brine, dried (MgSO₄), andevaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (6×20 cm.silica gel column) using 30% v/v ethyl acetate in hexane as eluent togive 0.51 g (57%) of methyl 3-methoxy-4-[5-(N-pentylcarbamoyl)indol-1-ylmethyl]benzoate as an off-white solid; partial NMR: 0.9 [t,3H,(CH₂)₄CH₃ ], 1.2-1.8 [br m,6H,CH₃ (CH₂)₃ ]3.3-3.6 [m,2H,(CH₂)₃ CH₂ ], 3.87(s,3H,OCH₃), 3.9 (s,3H,OCH₃), 5.4 (s,2H,NCH₂).

The starting carbamoylindole FF was obtained as follows:

A solution of 0.5 g. indole-5-carboxylic acid and 0.54 g. of1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole in 10 ml. of methylene chloride was heatedunder reflux for 30 minutes. A solution of 0.3 g. pentylamine in 2 ml.of methylene chloride was then added and heating under reflux wascontinued for a further 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was dilutedwith chloroform, washed successively with 10% v/v hydrochloric acid,water and brine, then dried (MgSO₄), and evaporated to give 0.51 g.(71%) of 5-(N-pentylcarbamoyl)indole as an off-white solid; partial NMR:0.9 [t,3H,CH₃)CH₂)₄ ], 1.2-1.9 (br m,8H,CH₃ (CH₂)₄, 6.2 (br s,1H, H¹-indole), 6.6 (m,1H,H³ -indole), 8.6 (br s,1H,NH).

EXAMPLE 194

Using a similar procedure to that described in Ex.174, but starting from3-butyryl-6-cyclopentylacetamidoindole, methyl4-[3-butyryl-6-cyclopentylacetamidoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoatewas obtained in 77% yield as a white solid; NMR: 0.94 (t,3H,CH₂ CH₃),2.26 (br s,3H,CHCH₂) 2.79 (t,2H,COCH₂), 3.83 (s,3H,OCH₃), 3.97(s,3H,OCH₃), 5.42 (s,2H,NCH₂), 6.89 (d,1H,m-CH₃ O.C₆ H₃), 7.24 (dd,1H,H⁵-indole) 9.81 (s,1H,NH).

EXAMPLE 195

A solution of 1.54 g. t-butyl4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)-3-formylindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate and2.24 g. methyl (triphenylphosphoranylidene)acetate in 30 ml. of dioxanewas heated under reflux for 2 days. The solvent was evaporated and theresidue was purified by flash chromatography (6×20 cm silica gel column)using 20% v/v hexane in ethyl acetate as the eluent to give 1.69 g.(99%) t-butyl4-[3-(2-methoxycarbonylethylidenyl]-6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoateas a white solid; partial NMR: 0.96 (t,6H, (CH₂ CH₂)₂), 1.54[s,9H,C(CH₃)₃ ], 3.79 (s,3H,OCH₃), 3.92 (s,3H,OCH₃), 2.89 (s,2H,NCH₂),6.35 (d,1H,CH═CH), 7.83 (d,1H,CH═CH).

The starting indole was obtained using a similar procedure to thatdescried in Ex.174, but starting from6-(2-ethylhexanamido)-3-formylindole and t-butyl4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzoate, and was isolated in 77% yield as awhite solid; NMR: 0.96 [t,6H,(CH₂ CH₃)₂ ], 1.57 [s,9H,C(CH₃)₃ ], 3.92(s,3H,OCH₃), 5.34 (s,2H,NCH₂), 9.92 (s,1H,CO.H).

EXAMPLE 196

To a slurry of 0.075 g.4-[3-(2-methoxycarbonylvinyl)-6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoicacid in 5 ml. of methanol was added 25 microlitres of 6M potassiumhydroxide solution. The solution obtained was hydrogenated in thepresence of 0.02 g. of 10% w/w palladium on charcoal, using hydrogen ata pressure of 3.45 bar (50 p.s.i.). The catalyst was removed byfiltration through diatomaceous earth. The filtrate was acidified (10%w/v hydrochloric acid). The resultant precipitate was collected byfiltration and recrystallised from ethyl acetate/hexane to give 15.6 mg.(21%)4-[3-(2-methyoxycarbonylethyl)-6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoicacid as a white solid, m.p. 189-190; microanalysis, found: C, 65.92;H,7.05; N 4.93%; C₂₉ H₃₆ N₂ O₆.H₂ O requires: C, 66.14; H,7.27; N,5.31%.

EXAMPLE 197

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 185, but startingfrom methyl 4-(6-amino-5-bromoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (GG)and cyclopentylacetic acid, methyl4-[5-bromo-6-cyclopentylacetamidoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate wasobtained in 60% yield as an off-white solid; partial NMR: 1.6 [brm,8H,(CH₂)₄ ], 3.8 (s,3H,OCH₃), 3.9 (s,3H,OCH₃), 5.3 (s,2H,NCH₂), 6.4(dd,1H,H³ -indole), 7.1 (d,1H,H² -indole), 7.7 (br, 1H,NH), 7.8 (s,1H,H⁴-indole), 8.5 (br s,1H,H⁷ -indole).

The starting 5-bromoindole GG was obtained as follows:

a) a solution of 1.21 g. 5-bromo-6-nitroindoline and 1.35 g. chloranilin 30 ml. xylene was heated under reflux for 4.5 hours. The dark mixturewas filtered. The filtrate was washed twice with 10% v/v sodiumhydroxide then with water followed by brine, and then dried (MgSO₄) andevaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (6×18 cm.silica gel column) using 20% v/v hexane in methylene chloride as eluent,to give 0.68 g. (57%) 5-bromo-6-nitroindole as a yellow solid; NMR: 6.6(br m, 1H,H³), 7.5 (dd,1H,H²), 7.9 (s,1H,H⁴), 8.1 (dd,1H, H⁷), 8.6(br,1H,NH).

b) 5-Bromo-6-nitroindole was reacted with methyl4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzoate using the procedure described in part(a) of Example 1 to give methyl4-(5-bromo-6-nitroindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate (HH) in 65% yieldand as a bright yellow solid; partial NMR: 3.89 (s,3H,OCH₃), 3.94(s,3H,OCH₃), 5.35 (s,2H,NCH₂), 6.53 (dd,1H,H³ -indole), 7.38 (d,1H,H²-indole), 7.89 (s,1H,H⁴ -indole), 8.03 (br s,1H,H⁷ -indole).

c) A solution of 0.66 g. HH in 100 ml. of 10% v/v acetic acid in ethylacetate was hydrogenated in the presence of 0.10 g. of 5% w/w platinumon carbon and using hydrogen at a pressure of 2.76 bar (40 p.s.i.) for 4hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration through diatomaceousearth. The filtrate was washed successively with 10M sodium hydroxidesolution, water and brine, then dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give0.61 g. methyl 4-(6-amino-5-bromoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate(GG) as an oil; partial NMR: 6.37 (dd,1H,H³ -indole), 6.59 (s,1H,H⁷-indole), 6.93 (d,1H,H² -indole), 7.69 (s,1H,H⁴ -indole).

EXAMPLE 198

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 193 but startingfrom 5-N-(2-methylpropyl)carbamoylindole there was obtained methyl4-[5-N-(2-methylpropyl)carbamoylindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate in4% yield as a white solid; NMR: 1.00 [d,6H,(CH₃)₂ CH], 3.31(t,2H,CHCH₂), 3.88 (s,3H,OCH₃), 3.94 (s,3H,OCH₃), 5.36 (s,2H,NCH₂), 5.14(br s,1H,NH).

The starting carbamoylindole was obtained using a similar procedure tothat described for the starting indole in Example 193 usingisobutylamine instead of pentylamine and was isolated in 78% yield as awhite foam; NMR: 1.00 [d,6H,(CH₃)₂ CH], 3.32 (t,2H,CHCH₂), 6.23 (brs,1H,NH), 6.57 (m,1H,H³ -indole), 8.07 (br s,1H,H⁴ -indole), 8.73 (brs,1H,NH).

EXAMPLE 199

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 193, but startingfrom 6-N-(cyclopentylmethyl)carbamoylindole (II), methyl3-methoxy-4-[6-N-(cyclopentylmethyl)carbamoylindol-1-ylmethyl]benzoatewas obtained in 37% yield as an off-white solid; NMR: 1.41-1.79[m,8H,(CH₂)₄ ], 3.39 (t,2H,CH₂ NH), 3.88 (s,3H,OCH₃), 3.92 (s,3H,)CH₃),4.24 (s,2H,NCH₂), 6.17 (t,1H,CH₂ NH), 6.62 (d,1H,H³ -indole), 6.72(d,1H,m-CH₃ O-C₆ H₃), 7.91 (s,1H,H⁷ -indole).

The starting indole II was obtained as follows:

a) A solution of 4.46 g. methyl 4-methyl-3-nitrobenzoate in 23 ml. ofDMF was treated with 8.18 g. N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal andheated to 130° for two hours. The DMF was evaporated and the residue wastriturated with ether to give 5.58 g. (98%) of methyl 4-(2E-N,N-dimethylaminovinyl)-3-nitrobenzoate (JJ) as a red powder; NMR: 2.98[s,6H,N(CH₃)₂ ], 5.90 (d,1H,CHN), 7.14 (d,1H,CH-CHN), 7.45(d,1H,phenyl-H⁵), 7.90 (dd,1H,5-phenyl-H⁶), 8.47 (d,1H,phenyl-H²).

b) A solution of 5.58 g. JJ in 100 ml of THF was hydrogenated at 3.45bar (50 p.s.i.) in the presence of 1.1 g. of 10% w/w palladium on carbonfor 35 minutes. The catalyst was removed by filtration throughdiatomaceous earth and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue wasdissolved in ethyl acetate and the solution obtained was washedsuccessively with 10% v/v hydrochloric acid, water and brine, then dried(MgSO₄) and evaporated to give 3.32 g. (85%) of methylindole-6-carboxylate as a white solid, NMR: 3.92 (s,3H,OCH₃), 6.57(m,1H,H³ -indole) 7.32 (t,1H,H² -indole), 7.10 (d,1H,H⁴ -indole), 7.87(dd,1H,H⁵ -indole), 8.16 (br s,1H,H⁷ -indole).

A solution of 3.32 g. of methyl indole-6-carboxylate in 48 ml. methanolwas stirred at 50° C. for two hours with a solution of 4.78 g. lithiumhydroxide monohydrate in 19 ml. of water. The solvent was evaporated andthe residue was dissolved in water. The alkaline solution obtained wasslowly acifified (HCl) and the precipitate which formed was collected togive 2.8 g. (92%) indole-6-carboxylic acid as a brown powder; NMR: 6.51(m,1H,H³ -indole), 8.04 (m,1H,H⁷ -indole), 11.43 (br s, 1H,NH), 12.42(br s, 1H,OH).

d) Indole-6-carboxylic acid was reacted with 1-cyclopentylmethylamineusing a similar procedure to that decribed for indole GG in Example 193to give 6-N-(cyclopentylmethyl)carbamoylindole (II) in 42% yield as apale pink powder; NMR: 3.19 (d,2H,CH₂ NH), 6.46 (d,1H, H³ -indole), 7.91(d,1H,H⁷ -indole), 8.29 (t,1H,CH₂ NH).

Example 200

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 99, but usingmethyl 7-(bromomethyl)benzo[b]-furan-4-carboxylate (KK) as alkylatingagent, there was obtained methyl7-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-yl-methyl]benzo[b]furan-4-carboxylate in23% yield as a solid, m.p. 164°-167° C.; partial NMR (250 MHz; d₆ DMSO):(0.84 (2t,6H, 2×CH₃), 1.0-1.6 (m,8H); 2.25 (m,1H,CHCO); 3.89(s,3H,OCH₃); 5.75 (s,2H,NCH₂).

The starting material JJ was obtained as follows:

(a) A mixture of 3.46 g. potassium carbonate, 3.32 g. methyl3-hydroxy-4-methylbenzoate and 2.16 ml. allyl bromide in 80 ml. acetonewas heated under reflux for 6 hours. The cooled mixture was separated byfiltration. The filter cake was washed with acetone and the washingscombined with the filtrate and evaporated to give 3.85 g. (93%) ofmethyl 3-allyloxy-4-methylbenzoate as a clear oil; partial NMR: 2.3(s,3H, C--CH₃), 3.9 (s,3H,O.CH₃), 4.6 (m,2H,0.CH₂).

(b) 1.2 g. of the 3-allyloxy compound from (a) was heated at 200° C.under nitrogen for 5 hours, cooled and purified by flash chromatography(5 cm. diameter silica gel column) using 92:8 v/v hexane in ethylacetate as eluent, to give 0.79 g. (66%) of methyl2-allyl-3-hydroxy-4-methylbenzoate as a white solid, m.p. 53°-56° C.,having a satisfactory NMR spectrum.

(c) A stream of ozone in oxygen was bubbled into a solution of 0.78 g.of the 2-allyl compound from (b) in 25 ml. methanol at -78° C. for 10minutes. The reaction was then purged of ozone by passing nitrogenthrough the solution for 2 minutes and then adding 1.5 ml.dimethylsulphide and allowing the mixture to attain room temperature.After 3 hours solvent was evaporated and the residual oil was purifiedby flash chromatography (4 cm. diameter silica gel column) using 40:60:v/v ethyl acetate in hexane as eluant, to give 0.33 g. (42%) of methyl2-hydroxy-7-methyl-2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]furan-4-carboxylate as a whitesolid, m.p. 112°-115° C., having a satisfactory NMR spectrum. (d) 0.5 g.of the benzo[b]furan obtained in (c) was dissolved in toluene (10 ml.)and 3 mg. of p-toluene-sulphonic acid added. The mixture was stirred andheated under reflux for 6 hours. The cooled mixture was diluted withether and washed successively with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonatesolution, water and brine, then dried and solvent evaporated to give0.43 g. (94%) of methyl 7-methylbenzo[b]furan-4-carboxylate as acolorless oil; NMR: 2.58 (s,3H,C.CH₃), 3.96 (s,3H,0.CH₃), 7.10 (d J=7.7Hz, 1H,H⁶), 7.35 (d J=2.1Hz, 1H, H³), 7.90 (d J=7.7 Hz, 1H,H⁵). (e) Amixture of 0.42 g. of the ester obtained in (d) together with 0.409 g.N-bromosuccinimide and 5 mg. benzoyl peroxide in 20 ml carbontetrachloride was stirred and heated under reflux for 3 hours withinfra-red irradiation. The cooled mixture was concentrated in vacuo andthe residue purified by flash chromatography (4 cm diameter silica gelcolumn) using 2.5: 97.5 v/v ether in hexane as the eluant to give methyl7-(bromomethyl)benzo[b]furan-4-carboxylate (JJ) as a solid which waspurified by recrystallistaion from hexane at -20° C. to give 0.27 g.(47%) of pale yellow solid, m.p. 73°-80° C., having a satisfactory NMRspectrum.

EXAMPLES 201 -206

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 99, but using theappropriate bromomethyl compound of formula 13 (R¹ =CH₃) the followingesters of formula 12 (R¹ =CH₃) were obtained:

    ______________________________________                                                         G.sup.2 (and location                                                                       Yield m.p.                                     Ex.   Rd         on Q)         (%)   (°C.)                             ______________________________________                                        201   2-OCH.sub.3                                                                              direct link (3)                                                                             37    107-110                                  202   4-OCH.sub.3                                                                              direct link (3)                                                                             45    144-145                                  203   3-OCH.sub.3                                                                              direct link (3)                                                                             23%   (+)                                      204   2-Cl       direct link (4)                                                                             38%   (++)                                     205   2,6-(OCH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    direct link (4)                                                                             65%   185-186                                  206   2-CH.sub.3 direct link (4)                                                                             55%   169-171                                  ______________________________________                                         (+) partial NMR: 5.2(s, 2H, CH.sub.2 N), 3.85(s, 3H, O.CH.sub.3), 3.78(s,     3H, O.CH.sub.3)2.0(m, 1H, CH.CO).                                             (++) microanalysis, found: C, 67.85; H, 6.94; N, 5.62%; C.sub.25 H.sub.29     ClN.sub.2 O.sub.3 requires: C, 68.09; H, 6.63; N, 6.35%.                 

The required starting materials of formula 13 (R¹ ═CH₃) were obtained asfollows using similar procedures to those described in parts (c) and (d)of Example 1:

(a) (for Ex.201): methyl 3-bromomethyl-2-methoxybenzoate, obtained in72% yield as an oil; NMR: 3.9 (s,3H,OCH₃), 4.0 (s,3H,OCH₃), 4.6(s,2H,CH₂ Br), 7.07-7.8 (m,3H); by bromination of methyl2-methoxy-3-methylbenzoate, itself obtained as an oil in 87% yield byesterification of the corresponding acid.

(b) (for Ex.202): methyl 5-bromomethyl-2-methoxybenzoate, obtained in47% yield as a white solid, m.p. 78°-79°, by bromination of methyl2-methoxy-5-methylbenzoate, itself obtained as an oil by esterificationof the corresponding acid;

(c) (for Ex.203): methyl 4-bromomethyl-2-methoxybenzoate, obtained as anoil by bromination of methyl 2-methoxy-4-metrhylbenzoate, itselfobtained as an oil by esterification of the corresponding acid;

(d) (for Ex.204): methyl 4-bromomethyl-3-chlorobenzoate, obtained as anoil by bromination of methyl 3-chloro-4-methylbenzoate.

(e) (for Ex.205): methyl 4-bromomethyl-3,5-dimethoxybenzoate, obtainedin 85% yield as a solid, m.p. 117°-118° C. [recrystallised fromether/petroleum ether (40°-60° C. b.p.)], by N-bromosuccinimidebromination of methyl 3,5-dimethoxy-5-methylbenzoate, using a similarprocedure to that described in part (e) of Example 200, and methyl3,5-dimethoxy-5-methylbenzoate being obtained in 71% yield as a solid,m.p. 98°-99° C., by reaction of 3,5-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzoic withdimethyl sulphate and potassium carbonate in boiling acetone for 16hours;

(f) (for Ex.206): methyl 4-bromomethyl-3-methylbenzoate was obtained asfollows:

1.36 g. of triphenylphosphine was added in portions during 35 minutes toa solution of 722 mg. methyl 4-hydroxymethyl-3-methylbenzoate and 1.72g. of carbon tetrabromide in 10 ml. of methylene chloride at 0° C. Aftera further 40 minutes an extra 118 mg. of triphenylphosphine was added tothe stirred mixture. After a further 30 minutes the reaction mixture wasabsorbed onto silica gel and the solvent evaporated. The residue wasadded to the top of a column of silica gel and chromatography carriedout using 60:40 v/v methylene chloride in hexane as eluant. There wasthus obtained 0.914 g. (94%) of methyl 4-bromomethyl-3-methylbenzoate asan oil, partial NMR: 2.45 (s,3H,CH₃), 3.90 (s,3H,O.CH₃), 4.50 (s,2H,CH₂Br).

EXAMPLES 207-208

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 23 the followingesters of formula I were obtained:

(Example 207): ethyl 6-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-yl]4(E)-hexenoatein 40% yield as a white solid, m.p. 65°-66° C. (after purification byflash chromatography on silica gel using 1:20 v/v ethyl acetate intoluene as the eluate), by reaction of ethyl 6-bromo-4(E)-hexenoate with6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indole;

(Example 208): methyl4-(1-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indol-1-yl]ethyl)benzoate in 30% yieldas a solid, partial NMR (d⁶ -DMSO]: 1.88 (d,3H,CH₃), 3.81 (s,3H,OCH₃),5.75 (q,1H,CH), by reaction of methyl 4-(1-bromoethyl)benzoate with6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indole.

Methyl 4-(1-bromoethyl)benzoate was obtained as follows:

(a) 2M Methanolic hydrochloric acid was added in portions to a stirredsuspension of 3.6 g. of methyl 4-acetylbenzoate (obtained as a solid,m.p. 90°-92° C., by conventional esterification of the correspondingacid) and 1.4 g. of sodium cyanoborohydride in methanol containing asingle crystal of the indicator methyl orange, so that a red colorpersisted. After 4 hours a further 173 mg. of sodium cyanoborohydridewas added and the red colour again maintained by addition of 2Mmethanolic hydrochloric acid.

One hour after the final addition of reagents the solvents wereevaporated and the residue was dissolved in water. The solution obtainedwas extracted with ether. The extracts were then dried (Na₂ SO₄) andevaporated. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica using3:97 v/v ether and chloroform as eluant to give 2.9 g. (80%) methyl4-(1-hydroxyethyl)benzoate as a yellow oil; partial NMR: 1.50(d,3H,CH₃), 3.91 (s,3H, OCH₃), 4.94 (q, 1H,CH.OH).

(b) A solution of 1.47 g. of methyl 4-(1-hydroxyethyl)benzoate and 3.61g. carbon tetrabromide in 25 ml. methylene chloride was treated with2.70 g. of triphenylphosphine. After 1 hour the solvent was evaporatedand the residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel, usingmethylene chloride in hexane as the eluent, to give 1.52 g. (67%) ofmethyl 4-(1-bromoethyl)benzoate as an oil; partial NMR: 2.04 (d,3H,CH₃), 3.91 (s,3H,OCH₃), 5.19 (q,1H,CH.Br).

EXAMPLES 209-238

Using a similar hydrolysis procedure to that described in Example 34,the following carboxylic acids of formula 5 may be obtained byhydrolysis:

    ______________________________________                                                                 m.p.      Yield                                      Ex.     Re               (°C.)                                                                            (%)                                        ______________________________________                                        209     cyclohexylmethyl 252-253   67                                         210     1-cyclohexylpropyl                                                                             277-278   66                                         211     1-phenylpropyl.sup.+                                                                           230-231   17                                         212     1-phenylpropyl.sup.++                                                                          230-231   30                                         213     1-methyl-1-phenylethyl                                                                         209-210   12                                         214     1-phenyl-cyclopentyl                                                                           145-147   54                                         215     alpha-methoxybenzyl                                                                            193-195   98                                         216     alpha-cyclopentylbenzyl                                                                        236-237(d)                                                                              39                                         217     1-cyclopentylbutyl                                                                             268-269   63                                         ______________________________________                                         .sup.+ from R(-)2-phenylbutyric acid                                          .sup.++ from S(+)2-phenylbutyric acid                                    

Similarly, the following carboxylic acids of formula 15 (R═H) wereobtained by hydrolysis of the corresponding methyl esters:

    ______________________________________                                                                        m.p.    Yield                                 Ex.  Re.X         Ra       Rc   (°C.)                                                                          %                                     ______________________________________                                        218  isopropyloxy H        H    .sup. 235-236.sup.+                                                                   58                                    219  tetrahydrofuran-                                                                           H        H    214-215 36                                         3-yloxy                                                                  220  1-cyclohexen-4-                                                                            H        H    236-237 43                                         yloxy                                                                    221  cyclopentyloxy                                                                             Cl       H    .sup. 234-235.sup.+                                                                   12                                    222  cyclopentyloxy                                                                             CO.CH.sub.3                                                                            H    262-263 36                                    223  cyclopentylmethyl                                                                          H        Br   237-238 63                                    224  cyclopentylmethyl                                                                          Cl       H    263-264 67                                                                    (d)                                           225  cyclopentylmethyl                                                                          CO.C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                     H    237-238 69                                    ______________________________________                                         .sup.+ isolated as a partial hydrate.                                    

Similarly, the following carboxylic acids of formula 12 (R¹ ═H) wereobtained by hydrolysis of the corresponding methyl esters:

    ______________________________________                                                         G.sup.2 (and location                                                                       m.p.   Yield                                   Ex.   Rd         on Q)         (°C.)                                                                         (%)                                     ______________________________________                                        226   2-OCH.sub.3                                                                              direct link (3)                                                                             200-201                                                                              64                                      227   4-OCH.sub.3                                                                              direct link (3)                                                                             171-174                                                                              69                                      228   3-OCH.sub.3                                                                              direct link (4)                                                                             189-190                                                                              69                                      229   2-Cl       direct link (4)                                                                             222-232                                                                              45                                                                     (d)                                            230   2,6-(OCH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                    direct link (4)                                                                             274-275                                                                              83                                                                     (d)                                            231   2-CH.sub.3 direct link (4)                                                                             239-240                                                                              91                                      ______________________________________                                    

Similarly, the following carboxylic acids of formula I were obtained byhydrolysis of their corresponding methyl esters (Ex.238 uses the ethylester):

(Example 232):4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indolin-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoic acidin 14% yield as a solid, m.p. 212°-213° C.;

(Example 233):4-[5-(N-isobutyl)carbamoylindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoic acid, in32% yield as a hemihydrate, m.p. 157°-158° C.;

(Example 234):4-[6-(N-cyclopentylmethyl)carbamoylindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoicacid, in 50% yield as a solid, m.p. 245°-246° C.;

(Example 235):4-[5-(N-pentyl)carbamoylindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoic acid, in 86%yield as a solid, m.p. 142°-143° C.;

(Example 236): 4-[1-[2-cyclopentylacetamido]indol-1-yl)ethyl]benzoicacid, in 56% yield as a solid, m.p. 216°-217.5° C.;

(Example 237): 7-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]benzo[b]furan-4-carboxylic acid, in 60% yield as a solid, m.p. 249°-251°C.; and

(Example 238): 6-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-yl]-4(E)-hexenoic acid,in 89% yield as a solid, m.p. 113°-114° C.

EXAMPLE 239

Using a similar procedure to that described in Ex.90, but starting fromcyclopentanethiol and t-butyl4-(6-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate, there was obtainedt-butyl4-[6-(cyclopentylthiolocarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoatein 38% yield as a white foam; partial NMR: 1.5 (s,9H, C(CH₃)₃, 1.6 (m,6H,(CH₂)₃), 2.0 (m, 2H,--CH₂ --), 3.6 (br,1H,CHS), 3.9 (s,3H,OCH₃), 5.3(s,2H,NCH₂), 6.4 (d,1H,H³ -indole), 6.6 (d,1H,aromatic), 7.0(d,1H,aromatic) 7.3-7.4 (m,4H,aromatic), 7.6 (br s,1H,H⁷ -indole), 10.0(br s,1H,NH).

EXAMPLES 240-241

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 172, thefollowing acids of formula I were obtained from the correspondingt-butyl esters:

(Example 240): 4-[6-(cyclopentylthiolocarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoic acid, in 68% yield as a solid,m.p. 228°-230°C. (d); and

(Example 241):4-(3-[2-methoxycarbonylvinyl]-6-[2-ethylhexanamido]indol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoicacid, in 54% yield as a solid, m.p. 242°-243° C.

EXAMPLES 242-243

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 67, the followingtetrazole derivatives of formula I were obtained:

(Example 242):6-(2-phenylbutanamido)-1-(6-[1-(H)tetrazol-5-yl]hexyl)indole, in 45%yield as a solid, m.p. 163.5°-165° C., starting from1-(6-cyanohexyl)-6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indole, itself obtained as asolid, m.p. 105°-106° C. by sodium hydride alkylation of6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indole with 7-bromoheptanonitrile using similarconditions to those described in Example 23; and

(Example 243):6-(2-ethylhexanamido)-1-(6-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]hexyl)indole, in 58%yield as a partial hydrate, m.p. 149°-150° C., starting from1-(6-cyanohexyl)-6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indole, itself obtained as asolid, m.p. 98°-99° C. by sodium hydride alkylation of6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indole with 7-bromoheptanonitrile using similarconditions to those described in Example 23.

EXAMPLES 244-248

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 157, thefollowing tetrazole derivatives of formula I were obtained:

(Example 244):6-[N'-(1-phenylethyl)ureido]-1-[6-(1-[H]tetrazol-5-yl)hexyl]indole, in20% yield as a solid, m.p. 114°-116° C. (recrystallised from aqueousacetonitrile) using 6-amino-1-[6-(1[H]-tetrazol-5-yl)hexyl]indole andS(-)-alpha-methylbenzyl isocyanate;

(Example 245):6-[N'-(1-phenylethyl)ureido]-1-[6-(1[H]tetrazol-5-yl)hexyl]indole, in10% yield as a solid, m.p. 114°-116° C. (recrystallised from aqueousacetonitrile) using 6-amino-1-[6-(1[H]-tetrazol-5-yl) hexyl]indole andR(+)-alpha-methylbenzyl isocyanate;

(Example 246):6-(N-cyclopentyloxycarbonylamino)-1-(8-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]octyl)indol,in 23% yield as a solid, m.p. 138°-140° C., using cyclopentylchloroformate and 6-amino-1-(8-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]octyl)indole, itselfobtained by alkylation of 6-nitroindole with 8-bromo-octanonitrilefollowed by catalytic reduction, using an analogous procedure to thatfor V in Example 157.

(Example 247):6-(N-butoxycarbonylamino)-1-(8-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]octyl)indol, in 37%yield as a solid, m.p. 122°-123° C., using butyl chloroformate and6-amino-1-(8-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]octyl)indole; and

(Example 248):6-(N-cyclopentyloxycarbonylamino)-1-(4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]butyl)indole,in 54% yield as a solid, m.p. 163°-165° C., using cyclopentylchloroformate. and 6-amino-1-(4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]-butyl)indole,itself obtained in an analogous manner to6-amino-1-(8-[1-(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]octyl)indole starting initially from6-nitroindole and 4-bromobutyronitrile.

EXAMPLE 249

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 73,6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)-1-(4-[(1H)tetrazol-5-ylthio]-2E-butenyl)indolewas obtained in 40% yield as a white solid, m.p. 134°-135° C., startingfrom 1-(4-bromo-2-butenyl)-6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indole, itselfobtained in 12% yield by sodium hydride alkylation of6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indole with 1,4-dibromo-2-butene using similarreaction conditions to those described in Example 23.

EXAMPLE 250

Using an analogous procedure to that described in Example 9, butstarting from 6-amino-1-(6-[1(H)tetrazol-5-yl]hexyl)indole and3-cyclopentylpropionic acid, there was obtained6-(3-cyclopentylpropionamido)1-(6-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]hexyl)indole in41% yield, m.p. 143°-145° C.

EXAMPLES 251-254

To a suspension of 340 mg. of ethyl5-(4-[6-(N-butoxycarbonylamino)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxyphenyl)-3(H)-tetrazole-3-acetate in 5 ml. of 1M sodium hydroxide was added 5ml. of ethanol. After 1.5 hours the reaction was diluted with water anda 2:3 v/v mixture of ethyl acetate/hexane, acidified (6M HCl) andextracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined extracts were washedwith brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue waschromatographed on 16 g. of silica gel (octadecylsilane treated) using amethanol/phosphate buffer gradient (50/50 -60/40 v/v) as eluent.Acidification (1M HCl) of the appropriate fractions gave 240 mg. (75%)of5(4-[6-butoxycarbonyl)aminoindole-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxyphenyl)-3(H)-tetrazole-3-aceticacid (Example 251), as a white solid, m.p. 92°-95° C.; microanalysis,found: C. 59.92; H,5.35; N,17.33%; C₂₄ H₂₆ N₆ O₅ requires: C, 60.25;H,5.47 ; N,17.56%.

Using a similar procedure, the following carboxylic acids of formula Iwere obtained by hydrolysis of the corresponding methyl or ethyl esters:

(Example 252):5-(4-[6-(butoxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxyphenyl)-1(H)-tetrazole-1-aceticacid, isolated in 40% yield as a solid; microanalysis, found C, 60.5%,H,5.49; N, 17.47%, C₂₄ H₂₆ N₆ O₅ requires: C, 60.25; H, 5.47; N,17.56%;

(Example 253)o-[5-(4-[6-(N-butoxycabonylamino)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxyphenyl)-3(H)-tetrazol-3-ylmethyl]-benzoicacid, isolated in 63% yield as a solid; microanalysis, found: C,62.64;H,5.26; N,14.36%; C₃₀ H₃₀ N₆ O₅.H₂ O requires: C,62.94; H,5.59; N14.69%

Example 254)o-[5-(4-[6-(N-butoxycarbonylamino)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-(H)-tetrazol-1-ylmethyl]benzoicacid, isolated in 48% yield as a solid; microanalysis, found: C,64.85;H,5.57; N,14.97%; C₃₀ H₃₀ N₆ O₅ requires: C,64,97; H,5.45; N,15.4%.

The starting esters were obtained as follows:

(a) (For Examples 151,252);

To a suspension of 500 mg.6-(butoxycarbonyl)amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-[2(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indole,67 mg. potassium iodide, and 167 mg. potassium carbonate in 12 ml. of2-butanone was added 0.14 ml. ethyl bromoacetate. The mixture was heatedunder reflux for 3 hours. Solid was removed by filtration and thefiltrate was evaporated. The residue was purified by chromatography on35 g. silica gel using an ethyl acetate/toluene gradient (1:15-1:10 v/v)as eluent. There was thus obtained 348 mg. (57%) of ethyl5-(4-[6-(butoxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3(H)-tetrazole-3-acetateas a solid, m.p. 46°-48° C.; partial NMR (d₆ -DMSO): 1.21 (t,3H,OCH₂CH₃), 4.00 (s,3H,OCH₃), 4.10 (q,2H,OCH₂ CH₃), 5.33 (s,2H,benzylic CH₂),5.86 (s,2H,CH₂ CH₂); and 77 mg. (12%) of ethyl5-(4-[6-(butoxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxyphenyl)-1(H)-tetrazole-1-acetate as an oil; partial NMR (d₆ DMSO): 1.04 (t,3H,OCH₂ CH₃), 3.96 (s,3H,OCH₃), 4.06 (q,2H,OCH₂ CH₃), 5.35 (s,2H,benzylicCH₂) (s, 2H,CH₂ CO₂).

(b) (For Examples 253,254):

Using a similar procedure to that described in (a) above, but usingmethyl 2-bromomethylbenzoate in place of ethyl bromoacetate, there wereobtained methyl0-[4-(4-[6-(butoxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxyphenyl)-3(H)-tetrazol-3-ylmethyl]benzoateisolated in 76% yield as a solid, m.p. 55°-58° C.; partial NMR (d⁶-DMSO): 3.81 (s,3H,CO₂ CH₃), 3.98 (s,3H, OCH₃), 5.32 (s,2H, indole CH₂),6.28 (s,2H,tetrazole CH₂); andmethyl-o-[5-(4-[6-butoxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxyphenyl)-1(H)-tetrazol-1-ylmethyl]benzoateisolated in 9% yield as an oil; partial NMR (d₆ DMSO): 3.66 (s,3H,CO₂CH₃), 3.88 (s,3H,OCH₃), 5.33 (s,2H,indole CH₂); 6.03 (s,2H,tetrazoleCH₂).

EXAMPLE 255

99 mg. Sodium hydride (50% w/w dispersion in mineral oil) was washedtwice with hexane and suspended in 1 m. dry dimethylformamide (DMF). Thesuspension was stirred and a solution of 355 mg. benzenesulphonamide in1 ml. DMF was added. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour untileffervescence had stopped. A solution of 253 mg.4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoicN,N-diphenylcarbamic anhydride in 0.5 ml. DMF was added. The mixture wasstirred for a further 1 hour and poured into 20 ml. water. The aqueousmixture was acidified to pH6 with acetic acid, and extracted with ethylacetate. The extracts were washed with water, then with saturated brine,dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The resultant residue was purified byflash chromatography (using 8% v/v ethyl acetate in toluene containing1% v/v acetic acid), followed by recrystallisation [from ethylacetate/petroleum ether (b.p. 60°-80° C.)]to give 130 mg. (57%) ofN-(4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamideas a white solid, m.p. 216.5°-218° C.; microanalysis, found: C,66.14; H,6.34; N,7.13%; C₃₁ H₃₅ N₃ O₅ S requires: C,66.29; H,6.28; N,7.48%.

The starting diphenylcarbamic anhydride was obtained as follows: Asolution of 3.1 g.4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoic acid and 1.0ml. triethylamine in 30 ml. of methanol was treated with a solution of2.5 g. N,N-diphenylcarbamoylpyridinium chloride in 30 ml. of methanol.The resultant precipitate was collected by filtration, washed withmethanol, and dried under vacuum to give 3.54 g. (79%) of4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoicN,N-diphenylcarbamic anhydride as a white solid, m.p. 159°-162° C.;microanalysis found: C, 73.77; H,6.37; N,6.67; C₃₈ H₃₉ N₃ O₅ requires:C, 73.88; H,6.36; N, 6.80%.

EXAMPLES 256-257

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 255 the followingcompounds of formula I were obtained:

(Example 256)N-(4-[6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide,in 34% yield as a hemi-hydrate, m.p. 186°-188° C.; and,

(Example 257) N-(4[6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide,in 41% yield as a monohydrate, m.p. 214°-216° C.

The starting N,N-diphenylcarbamic anhydrides were prepared from thecorresponding benzoic acids of formula I using an analogous procedure tothat described in Example 255.

EXAMPLES 258-260

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 255, but startingfrom the appropriate arylsulphonamide, there were obtained:

(Example 258):N-(4-[6-2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)methanesulphonamidein 55% yield as a solid, m.p. 214°-215.5° C.

(Example 259)N-(4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-yl-methyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)-p-toluenesulphonamidein 48% yield as a solid, m.p. 228°-229° C.;

(Example 260):N-(4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-yl-methyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl-o-toluenesulphonamidein 27% yield as a solid, m.p. 221°-222° C.

EXAMPLE 261

48 mg. Sodium hydride (50% w/w dispersion in mineral oil) was washedtwice with petroleum ether (b.p. 40°-60° C.) and suspended in 2 ml. drydimethylformamide. (DMF). The reaction vessel was flushed with nitrogenand 188 mg. benzenesulphonamide added. The mixture was stirred for 30minutes until effervescence had stopped. A solution of 260 mg.3-methoxy-4-[6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indazol-1-ylmethyl]benzoicN,N-diphenylcarbamic anhydride in 1 ml. DMF was then added and themixture stirred for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was diluted with 30ml. ethyl acetate and washed successively with 5 ml. 1M hydrochloricacid, 5 ml. water (2×) and 5 ml. saturated brine, then dried (MgSO₄) andevaporated. The residue obtained was purified by flash chromatography,using 30% v/v ethyl acetate in toluene containing 1% v/v acetic acid aseluent, to give a solid which was recrystallised from ethylacetate/petroleum ether (b.p. 60°-80° C.). There was thus obtained 161mg. (69%)N-(4-[6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamideas a white solid, m.p. 140°-141° C.; microanalysis, found: C,65.94; H,5.18; N, 9.31%; C₃₂ H₃₀ N₄ O₅ S requires: C,65.95; H, 5.19; N, 9.61%.

The starting N,N-diphenylcarbamic anhydride was obtained as follows:

A mixture of 177 mg. 3-methoxy-4-[6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indazol-1-yl-methyl]benzoic acid, 2.5 ml. methanol and 0.4 ml. 1M sodiumhydroxide solution was added to a solution of 149 mg.N,N-diphenylcarbamoylpyridinium chloride in 0.8 ml. methanol. Thereaction mixture was stirred for 20 minutes and diluted with 30 ml.ethyl acetate. The mixture was then washed with 5 ml. water, then with 5ml. brine, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give 260 mg. of3-methoxy-4-[6-(2-phenylbutanamido)indazol-1-ylmethyl]-benzoicN,N-diphenylcarbamic anhydride as a yellow oil, essentially pure by TLC(retention factor value=0.8 on SiO₂ ; eluent 50v/v ethyl acetate/toluenecontaining 2% acetic acid) and which was used without furtherpurification or characterisation.

EXAMPLE 262

204 mg.4-[6-(Cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoicacid was added to a stirred solution of 79 mg. benzenesulphonamide,4-dimethylaminopyridine and 96 mg.1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride in 5 ml.of dry methylene chloride. After 15 minutes the mixture becamehomogeneous. It was stirred for a further 18 hours, then diluted with 20ml. methylene chloride and washed successively with 20 ml. portions of1M hydrochloric acid, water and saturated brine. The solution was thendried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give 278 mg. of amorphous solid. Thiswas crystallised from a mixture of methylene chloride, diethyl ether andpetroleum ether (b.p. 40°-60° C.) to give 184 mg. (67%)N-(4-[6-cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamideas a white solid, m.p. 181°-182.5° C.; microanalysis, found: C, 61.46;H, 5.17; N, 10.19%; C₂₈ H₂₈ N₄ O₆ S requires: C, 61.30; H, 5.14; N,10.21%.

EXAMPLES 263-264

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 262, thefollowing sulphonamides of formula I were obtained:

(Example 163):N-(4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide,isolated in 48% yield as a solid, m.p. 167°-169° C.; microanalysis,found: C,63.73; H,5.61; N,9.98%; C₂₉ H₃₀ N₄ O₅ S requires: C,63.72H,5.53; N,10.25%;

(Example 264):N-(4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl-o-toluenesulphonamide,isolated in 60% yield as a solid, m.p. 183.5°-185° C.; microanalysis,found: C,64.27; H,5.81; N,9.78%; C₃₀ H₃₂ N₄ O₅ S requires: C, 64.27;H,5.75; N,9.99%;

EXAMPLES 265-269

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 262, but startingfrom the appropriate carboxylic acid of formula I (Z═CO₂ H) andsulphonamide of the formula H₂ N.SO₂.Rg, the following sulphonamidederivatives of formula 19 (Ra═H), ReX=cyclopentylmethyl):

    ______________________________________                                                                m.p.     Yield                                        Ex.      Rg             (°C.)                                                                           %                                            ______________________________________                                        265       -o-tolyl      218-220  63                                           266      2-aminophenyl  140-155  30                                           267      2-thienyl      144-148  64                                           268      1-naphthyl     144-147  60                                           269      6-chloro-3-pyridyl                                                                           244-246  42                                                                   (d)                                                   ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 270-276

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 255, but startingfrom the appropriate sulphonamide derivatives of formula 19 (Ra═H,ReX=1-ethylpentyl) were obtained:

    ______________________________________                                                               m.p.      Yield                                        Ex.      Rg            (°C.)                                                                            (%)                                          ______________________________________                                        270      4-methoxyphenyl                                                                             197-199   18                                           271      benzyl          212-213.5                                                                             73                                           272      4-chlorophenyl                                                                              182.5-184 64                                           273      4-fluorophenyl                                                                              176-178   65                                           274      4-nitrophenyl 212-214   45                                           275      isopropyl     206-207   32                                           276      butyl         157-159   20                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 277

A solution of 8.9 g.4-[3-acetyl-6-cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoicacid, 2.5 g. 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine, 4.0g.1-[3-dimethylamino)propyl]-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, and 3.2g. benzenesulfonamide in 100 ml. methylene chloride was stirred for 24hours and then diluted with ethyl acetate. The mixture was washedsuccessively with dilute hydrochloric acid (ca 2M), water and brine. Theorganic layer was dried (MgSO₄) and the solvent was evaported. Theresidue was purified by recrystallisation from a mixture of methanol,THF and water to give 7.5 g. (64%)N-(4-[3-acetyl-6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamideas a white solid, m.p. 245°-246° C. microanalysis, found: C,62.98;H,5.37; N,6.94%; C₃₁ H₃₁ N₃ O₇ S requires: C, 63.14; H,5.30; N, 7.13%.

EXAMPLES 278-288

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 277, but startingfrom the appropriate 4-(indol-1-yl- orindolin-1-yl-methyl)-3-methoxybenzoic acid, the followingN-benzenesulphonamide derivatives of formula 19 (Rg═phenyl, Ra═H exceptfor Example 279 where Ra═chloro and Example 283 where Ra═2(E)(methoxycarbonyl)vinyl:

    ______________________________________                                                                m.p.       Yield                                      Ex.     Re.X            (°C.)                                                                             (%)                                        ______________________________________                                        278     cyclopentyl     225-226    52                                         279     cyclopentyloxy  199-200    18                                         280     cyclopentylmethyl                                                                             194-196(d).sup.+                                                                         42                                         281     cyclopentylamino                                                                              227-228(d) 50                                         282     tetrahydrofur-3-yloxy                                                                         183-184    25                                         283     1-ethylpentyl   199-201    54                                         ______________________________________                                         Note:                                                                         .sup.+ mono-hydrate                                                      

(Example 284)N-(4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indolin-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide,in 7% yield as a solid, m.p. 136°-137° C. (dihydrate);

(Example 285):N-(4-[6-(N-cyclopentylmethylcarbamoyl)-indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide,in 63% yield as a solid, m.p. 207°-208° C.

(Example 286)N-(4-[5-(N-pentylcarbamoyl)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide,in 56% yield as a solid, m.p. 223°-225° C.;

(Example 287)N-(5-[6-(N-cyclopentyloxycarbonylamino)-indol-1-ylmethyl]-2-furoyl)benzenesulphonamide, in 29% yield as a solid, m.p. 228°-229° C.; and

(Example 288):N-(4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-2-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide,in 71% yield as a solid, m.p. 134°-136° C.

EXAMPLE 289

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 255, but startingfrom benzenesulphinamide, there was obtainedN-(4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphinamidein 28% as a solid, m.p. 122°-126° C.; microanalysis found: C,67.61;H,6.79; N,7.39%; C₃₁ H₃₅ N₃ O₄ S requires: C, 68.23; H6.46; N, 7.70%.

Benzenesulphinamide was prepared by reacting benzenesulphinyl chloridewith ammonia in ether initially at -78° C. and finally at ambienttemperature and was isolated in 17% yield as a solid, m.p. 112°-115° C.

EXAMPLE 290

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 157, startingwith 2-cyclopentylacetyl chloride andN-4-[6-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide,there may be obtainedN-(4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamideas a solid essentially identical in physical properties to that obtainedin Example 280.

The starting aminoindole derivative was obtained as follows:

(a) Nitrogen was passed through a solution containing 1.39 g. methyl3-methoxy-4-(6-nitroindol-1-ylmethyl)benzoate in 1:1 v/v methanol andTHF together with 0.86 g. lithium hydroxide monohydrate in 25 ml. water.After 1 minute the reaction mixture was sealed and stirred for 3 days.Solvent was then evaporated. The residue was diluted with water,acidified (1M hydrochloric acid) and extracted with ethyl acetate. Theextracts were washed with water, then with brine and were dried (MgSO₄).Evaporation of solvent gave a3-methoxy-4-[6-nitroindol-1-ylmethyl]benzoic acid in 91% yield as asolid m.p. 243°-245.5° C. which was used without further purification.

(b) A suspension of 1.22 g. nitro-acid from (a) above in 15 ml. methanoland 3.7 ml. 1M sodium hydroxide solution was treated with 1.38 g.N,N-diphenylcarbamoyl pyridinium chloride during 1 minute. 50 ml. Ethylacetate was then added, followed by sufficient DMF to produce ahomogeneous solution. This solution was washed with water, then withbrine and was then dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give3-methoxy-4-[6-nitroindol-1-ylmethyl]benzoic N,N-diphenylcarbamicanhydride as a yellow oil. This was then reacted withbenzenesulphonamide using a similar procedure to that described inExample 255 to giveN-(3-methoxy-4-[6-nitroindol-1-ylmethyl]benzoyl)benzene sulphonamide in77% yield as a solid; partial NMR (d₆ -DMSO): 3.93 (s,3H,OCH₃), 5.56(s,2H,NCH₂).

(c) The nitro-sulphonamide derivative from (b) above was reduced using asimilar procedure to that described in part (c) of Example 157 to giveN-(4-[6-aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide in80% yield as a solid, m.p. 151°-155° C.

EXAMPLE 291

A mixture of 306 mg.4-6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoicacid in 4 ml. methanol and 6 ml. methylene chloride was treated with0.75 ml. of 1M sodium hydroxide solution. After 15 minutes the mixturewas evaporated and the residue was recrystallised from ether/methylenechloride/methanol to give sodium4-[6-cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindazol-3-methoxybenzoate in 78% yieldas a solid, m.p. >280° C. (d); microanalysis, found: C,59.80; H,5.06;N,9.20%; C₂₂ H₂₂ H₃ O₅ Na.0.5H₂ O requires: C, 59.99; H,5.26; N,9.54%.

EXAMPLES 292-293

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 291 but using theequivalent quantities of sodium hydroxide solution the sodium salts ofN-4-[6(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoylbenzenesulphonamide(i) and6-cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1-(H)tetrazol-5-benzyl)indazole(ii) were obtained as solids:

(i) in 93% yield, m.p. 258°-259° C.; microanalysis, found: C,63.74;H,5.93; N,7.35%; C₃₁ H₃₄ N₃ O₅ SNa, requires: C,63.79; H,5.87; N,7.20%;and

(ii) in essentially quantitiative yield (not recrystallised), m.p.200°-210° C. (d); microanalysis, found: C, 55.91; H,5.54; N,20.76%; C₂₂H₂₂ N₇ O₃ Na.H₂ O requires: C,55.81; H,5.11; N,20.70%.

EXAMPLE 294

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 261, there wasobtainedN-(4-[6-butoxycarbonyl)aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamidein 35% yield as a solid, m.p. 153°- 154° C.; microanalysis, found: C,60.34; H,5.16; N,10.52%; C₂₇ H₂₈ N₄ O₆ S requires: C, 60.42; H,5.25;N,10.44%.

EXAMPLE 295

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 67, there wasobtained6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)-indolein 29% yield as a solid, m.p. 218°-220° C. (1/4H₂ O), starting from6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)-1-(4-cyano-2-methoxybenzyl)indole itselfobtained by alkylation of 6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indole using asimilar procedure to that described in Example 67 (c).

EXAMPLES 296-297

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 262, but startingfrom the appropriate carboxylic acids of formula I (Z═CO₂ H), there wereobtained:

(Example 296):N-(4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-yl-methyl]-3,5-dimethoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamidein 39% yield as a solid, m.p. 220°-221.5° C.; microanaylsis, found: C,65.19; H,6.65; N, 6.53%; C₃₂ H₃₇ N₃ O₆ S requires: C, 64.97; H,6.30; N,7.1%; and

(Example 297):N-(4-[6-(2-ethylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]benzoyl)benzenesulphonamidein 37% yield as a solid, m.p. 166°-174° C.; microanalysis, found:C,64.16; H,6.03; N, 7.87%; C₃₀ H₃₃ N₃ O₄ S. 11/2H₂ O requires: C,64.49;H, 6.49; N,7.52%.

EXAMPLE 298

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 185, methyl4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoate wasobtained in 79% yield, starting from methyl4-(6-aminoindazol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoate and 2-cyclopentylaceticacid and was isolated as a solid, m.p. 195°-197.5° C.; microanlysis,found: C, 68.07; H, 6.37; N,9.57%; C₂₄ H₂₇ N₃ O₄ requires: C, 68.39;H,6.46; N,9.96%.

EXAMPLE 299

Using a similar hydrolysis procedure to that described in Example 34,4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)-indazol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoic acidwas obtained in 99% yield as a solid, m.p. 254°-256° C.; microanalysis,found: C, 67.41; H,6.37; N,10.28%; C₂₃ H₂₅ N₃ O₄ requires: C, 67.79;H,6.18; N,10.31%

EXAMPLE 300

A solution of 0.16 g. 3-butyryl-6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indole in 0.5ml. DMF was added to a stirred slurry of 9 mg. sodium hydride in 0.2 ml.DMF at 0°-4° C. The mixture was stirred at that temperature for 30minutes and then treated with a solution of 0.16 g.N-(4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide and 10 mg. sodiumhydride in 1.5 ml. DMF. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambienttemperature for 24 hours and then cooled to 0°-4° C. A further 9 mg.sodium hydride was added and stirring continued at ambient temperaturefor 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was again cooled to 0°-4° C. andexcess sodium hydride destroyed by addition of a saturated solution ofammonium chloride. The resulting mixture was extracted with ethylacetate. The extracts were washed successively with water and brine,then dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue was recrystallised firstfrom THF/petroleum ether (b.p. 60°-80° C.) and then from methanol/waterto give 12.8 mg. (5%)N-(4-[3-butyryl-6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphoamideas a white solid, m.p. 143°-145° C.; microanalysis, found: C, 64.47;H,6.00; N, 6.41%; C₃₄ H₃₇ N₃ O₆ S.1H₂ O requires: C,64.44; H,6.20;N,6.63%.

The starting bytyrylindole derivative was made using an analogousprocedure to that described for the acetyl indole (DD) in Example 174,but starting from 6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indole andN,N-dimethylbutyramide and was isolated in 99% yield as a solid; partialNMR: 1.03 (t,3H,CH₃), 2.40 br s,3H,CHCH₂), 2.89 (t, 2H, CO.CH₂), 7.24(dd,1H,H⁵ -indole), 8.30 (d,1H,H² -indole), 9.90 (s,1H,NH), 11.90 (brs,1H,NH).

The starting sulphonamide derivative was obtained by light catalysedN-bromosuccinimide/benzoyl peroxide bromination using a similarprodecure to that described in part (e) of Example 200 but starting fromN-(3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide. In this wayN-(4-bromomethyl-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide was isolated inessentially quantitative yield as a white solid, m.p. 190°-195° C.N-(3-Methoxy-4-methylbenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide was itself obtainedusing an analogous procedure to that described in EXAMPLE 277, but using3-methoxy-4-methylbenzoic acid and benzenesulphonamide, and was isolatedin 67% yield as a solid, m.p. 159°-160° C.

EXAMPLE 301

Using a similar procedure to that described in EXAMPLE 1,N-(7-[6-hexanamidoindol-1-yl]heptanoyl)benzenesulphonamide was obtainedin 13% yield as a solid, m.p. 97°-99° C., starting from hexanoylchloride and N-(7-[6-aminoindol-1-yl]heptanoyl)benzenesulphonamide. Thelatter compound was obtained as follows:

Methyl 7-(6-nitroindol-1-yl)heptanoate was first obtained in 52% yieldas a solid having a satisfactory NMR spectrum using an analogousprocedure to that described for C in Example 1 (but using methyl7-bromoheptanoate as the alkylating agent) and was then hydrolysed usingsimilar conditions to those to give the corresponding acid. This wasreacted with benzenesulphonamide and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, usingsimilar conditions to those described in Example 277, to giveN-(7-[6-nitroindol-1-yl]heptanoyl)benzenesulphonamide as a yellow solid,m.p. 117°-121° C.; microanalysis, found: C, 58.74; H,5.44; N,9.47%; C₂₁H₂₃ N₃ O₅ S requires: C,58.73; H,5.40; N,9.78%. This 6-nitro derivativewas then reduced, using similar conditions to those described in part(c) of Example 157, to giveN-(7-[6-aminoindol-1-yl]heptanoyl)benzenesulphonamide in essentiallyquantitative yield as a solid which was used without characterisation.

EXAMPLE 302

Using similar procedure to that described in Example 157, but usingcyclopentyl chloroformate andN-(7-[6-aminoindol-1-yl]heptanoyl)benzenesulphonamide,N-(7-[6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-yl]heptanoyl)benzenesulphonamidewas obtained in 51% yield as a solid, m.p. 74°-76° C.; microanalysis,found, C,62.74; H,6.54; N,7.84%; C₂₇ H₃₃ N₃ O₅ S, 1/4H₂ O requires: C,62.83; H,6.54; N,8.14%.

EXAMPLE 303

A solution of 220 mg. benzenesulphonylisocyanate in 5 ml. benzene and 6ml. methylene chloride was combined with 221 mg.3-(6-hexanamidoindol-1-yl)propanol. After 15 minutes, the mixture wasadded slowly with stirring to 75 ml. hexane. The solid which formed wascollected by filtration and purified by chromatography on silica gel(using 10% v/v hexane/ethyl acetate as eluent). The non-crystallineproduct was dissolved in a mixture of 2 ml/ ehtanol and 4 ml. ethylacetate. Addition of this solution to a vigorously stirred mixture of 40ml. ether and 20 ml. hexane gaveN-[1-(6-hexanamidoindol-1-yl)-propoxycarbonyl]benzenesulphonamide in 14%yield as a white solid, m.p.>130° C.(d); microanalysis, found: C, 57.61;H, 5.89; N,8.10%; C₂₄ H₂₉ N₃ O₅ S.1.40 H₂ O requires: C, 58.02; H,6.45;N, 8.46%.

The starting material was obtained as follows:

(a) A solution of 4.61 g. 3-bromopropanol in 150 ml. methylene chlorideat 0° C. was treated with 5.1 ml. dihydropropyran followed by 55 mg.p-toluenesulphonic acid and then warmed to room temperature. After onehour, phosphate buffer (pH: 7.5) was added to the mixture. The organiclayer was washed with brine, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and evaporated. The yellowoil obtained was purified by chromatography on triethylamine-treatedsilica gel using a gradient solvent system (pure hexane-50% v/v ethylether/hexane) as eluent to give 2-(3-bromopropoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran in69% yield as an oil, having a satisfactory NMR spectrum.

(b) 6-Hexanamidoindole was alkylated with2-(3-bromopropoxy)tetrahyro-2H-pryan using a similar procedure to thatdescribed in Example 23 to give2-[3-(6-hexanamidoindol-1yl)propoxy]tetrahydro-2H-pyran in 81% yield asan oil, which was used without characterisation.

(c) A solution of 656 mg. of the pyran derivative from (b) above in 10ml. methanol and 2 ml. water was treated with 10 mg. p-toluenesulphonicacid. After 72 hours, the mixture was treated with phosphate buffer (pH:7.5) and the methanol evaporated. The residue was extracted with ethylacetate. The extracts were washed with sodium bicarbonate solutionfollowed by brine and were then dried (MgSO₄) and evaporate. Theresidual yellow oil was purified by chromatography on silica gel using agradient solvent system (17% v/v ether/methylene chloride to 50% v/vether/methylene chloride as eluent, to give3-(6-hexanamidoindol-1-yl)propanol in 77% yield as a white solid, m.p.87°-88° C.

EXAMPLE 304

Using a similar hydrolysis procedure to that described in Example 34,there was obtainedN-(4-[3-(2[E]-carboxyvinyl)-6-(2-ehtylhexanamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide in 52% yield as a solid, m.p. 200°-201° C., starting fromthe corresponding methyl ester (Example 283).

EXAMPLE 305

Using a similar procedure to that described in Example 277, there wasobtainedN-(4-[6-(cyclopentylthiolocarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoly)benzenesulphonamidein 38yield as a solid, m.p. 199°-200° C., starting rom4-[6-(cyclopentylthiolocarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoicacid and benzenesulphonamide.

EXAMPLE 306

Methyl 4-[(6-aminoindazol-1 -ylmethol]-3-methoxybenzoate (L) used as astarting material in e.g. Example 74 may also be obtained as follows:

A mixture of 2.19 g. of sodium 3-chloro-6-nitroindazolide in 50 ml.methanol was stirred with 2.85 g methyl 3-methoxy-4-bromomethylbenzoatefor 2 hours. After addition of 150 ml. water the resultant precipitatewas collected and recrystallised from ethyl acetate to give methyl4-[3-chloro-6-nitroindazol-1-yl-methyl]-3-methoxybenzoate in 70% yieldas a solid, m.p. 167°-168° C. A mixture of 1.25 g. of this solid washydrogenated in the presence of 385 mg. 5% w/w palladium on calciumcarbonate in 20 ml. ethyl acetate and 20 ml. methanol for 3 hours at apressure of 1.1 bar. The catalyst was removed by filtration throughdiatomaceous earth. The filtrate was concentrated to low volume in vacuoand the residue (ca 3 ml.) was diluted with ether and petroleum ether(b.p. 40°-60° C.) and cooled to -20° C. The precipitated solid wascollected and dried at 80° C. to give the ester L in 90% yield, m.p.131°-131.5° C.

EXAMPLE 307

The following illustrate representative pharmaceutical dosages formswhich may be used for the therapeutic or prophylacteic administration ofan acidic compound of formula I (i.e. Z is an acidic group as definedherinbefore) or of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof(hereinafter referred to as compound X):

    ______________________________________                                        (i)    Tablet 1              mg/tablet                                               Compound X             100                                                    Lactose Ph.Eur.        182.75                                                 AcDiSol                12.0                                                   Maize starch paste (5% w/v paste)                                                                     2.25                                                  Magnesium stearate      3.0                                            (ii)   Tablet 2              mg/tablet                                               Compound X             20                                                     Microcrystalline cellulose                                                                           420                                                    Polyvinylpyrrolidone (5% w/v paste)                                                                  14.0                                                   Starch (pregelatinised)                                                                              43.0                                                   Magnesium stearate      3.0                                            (iii)  Capsule               mg/capsule                                              Compound X             10 mg.                                                 Lactose Ph.Eur.        488.5                                                  Magnesium stearate      1.5                                            (iv)   Injection 1           (10 mg./ml.)                                            Compound X (free acid form)                                                                           1.0% w/v                                              Sodium phosphate BP     3.6% w/v                                              0.1M Sodium hydroxide solution                                                                       15.0% w/v                                              Water for injection . . . to 100%                                      (v)    Injection 2 (buffered to pH 6)                                                                      (1 mg./ml)                                              Compound X (free acid form)                                                                           0.1% w/v                                              Sodium phosphate BP     2.26% w/v                                             Citric acid             0.38% w/v                                             Polyethylene glycol 400                                                                               3.5% w/v                                       (vi)   Aerosol               mg./ml.                                                 Compound X              0.2                                                   Sorbitan trioleate      0.27                                                  Trichlorofluoromethane                                                                               70.0                                                   Dichlorodifluoromethane                                                                              280.0                                                  Dichlorotetrafluoroethane                                                                           1094.0                                           ______________________________________                                    

It will be appreciated that the above pharmaceutical compositions may bevaried according to well known pharmaceutical techniques to accommodatediffering amounts and types of active ingredient X. The aerosol (vi) maybe used in conjunction with a standard, metered dose aerosol dispenser.##STR1##

What is claimed is:
 1. An amidic compound of the formula Iwherein: thegroup A CRa is selected from diradicals of the formulae --CRb═Cra-- and--CHRb.CHRa-- in which Ra is hydrogen, methyl, halogeno, (2-6C)alkanoyl,(2-6C)alkenyl or (2-6C)alkyl, the latter two of which may optionallybear a carboxy or {(1-4C)alkoxy}carbonyl substituent, and Rb is hydrogenor (1-4C)alkyl; or Ra and Rb together form tetramethylene optionallybearing 1 or 2 (1-4C)alkyl substituents and optionally containing 1 or 2unsaturated linkages; Rc, Rd and Rf are independently selected fromhydrogen, halogeno, (1-4C)alkyl and (1-4C)alkoxy; the group Re.L standsfor an amidic radical of the formula: Re.X.CO.NH--, Re.X.CS.NH-- orRe.NH.CO-- attached at position 4, 5, or 6 of the benzenoid moiety shownin formula I, and in which Re is (2-10C)alkyl optionally containing 1 ormore fluorine substituents, or is (3-10C)alkenyl or (3-10C)alkynyl; orRe is phenyl, phenyl-(1-6C)alkyl or thienyl-(1-6C)alkyl, in which the(1-6C)alkyl moiety may optionally bear a (1-4C)alkoxy, (3-6C)cycloalkylor phenyl substituent and in which a phenyl or thienyl moiety mayoptionally bear 1 or 2 substituents selected from halogeno, (1-4C)alkyl,(1-4C)alkoxy and trifluoromethyl; or Re is (3-8C)cycloalkyl, (3-8C)cycloalkyl-(1-6C)alkyl, tetrahydrofuryl or tetrahydropyranyl, thecyclic moiety of any of which optionally may contain one unsaturatedlinkage or bear 1 or 2 (1-4C)alkyl substituents or a phenyl substituent,the latter itself optionally bearing a halogeno, (1-4C)alkyl,(1-4C)alkoxy or trifluoromethyl substituent; X is oxy, thio, imino or adirect link to Re; Q is a direct link to G¹, or is oxy, thio,m-phenylene, p-phenylene, 2,5-furandiyl, 2,5-thiophenediyl or4,7-benzo[b]furandiyl; G¹ is (1-8C)alkylene or (2-6C)alkenylene; G² ismethylene, vinylene or a direct link to Z; and Z is an acidic groupselected from the group consisting of carboxy, an acylsulphonamideresidue of the formula --CO.NH.SO_(n) Rg and a tetrazolyl residue of theformula II ##STR2## in which n is the integer 1 or 2, Rg is (1-6C)alkyl,phenyl or naphthyl, furyl, thienyl, furylmethyl, thienylmethyl oraryl-(1-4C)alkyl, in any of which the aromatic or heteroaromatic moietyoptionally may bear 1 or 2 substituents independently selected fromhalogeno, (1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, nitro and amino;and Rh is hydrogen, carboxy-(1-3C)alkyl or (carboxyphenyl)methyl;provided that G¹, Q and G² taken together contain at least 3 carbonatoms and that G² is methylene or vinylene when Q is oxy or thio and Zis carboxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compoundas claimed in claim 1 wherein Ra is hydrogen, methyl, chloro, bromo,acetyl, propionyl or butyryl; or is ethyl, propyl, butyl, vinyl, allylor 1-propenyl, optionally bearing a carboxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl substituent; and Rb when present is hydrogen, methyl orethyl; or Ra and Rb together form 1-butenylene or 1,3-butadienylene,optionally bearing 1 to 2 methyl or ethyl substituents; Rc, Rd and Rfare independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl,ethyl, methoxy and ethoxy; Re is ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl,isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, 1-ethylpropyl, hexyl, heptyl,1-ethylpentyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, allyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl,1,3-pentadienyl, 2-propynyl or 3-butynyl; or phenyl, benzyl,1-phenylethyl, 2-phenylethyl, thien-2-ylmethyl, thien-3-ylmethyl,1-phenylpropyl, 2-phenylpropyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 1-methyl-1-phenylethylor 1-phenylbutyl: in which the alkyl moiety may optionally bear amethoxy, ethoxy, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or phenylsubstituent and in which a phenyl or thienyl moiety may optionally bear1 or 2 substituents selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, ethyl,methoxy, ethoxy and trifluoromethyl; or Re is cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclobutylmethyl,cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 1-cyclopentylethyl,2-cyclopentylethyl, 1-cyclopentylpropyl, 1-cyclohexypropyl,1-cyclopentylbutyl, 1-cyclohexylbutyl, tetrahydrofur-2-yl,tetrahydrofur-3-yl, tetrahydropyran-2-yl, tetrahydropyran-3-yl,tetrahydropyran-4-yl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexenylmethyl or1-(cyclohexenyl)butyl: in which the cyclic moiety optionally may bear 1or 2 methyl, ethyl, isopropyl or phenyl substituents, the latter itselfoptionally bearing a fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl, methoxy ortrifluoromethyl substituent; Q is a direct link to G¹, or is oxy, thio,m-phenylene, p-phenylene, 2,5-furandiyl, 2,5-thiophenediyl or4,7-benzo[b]furandiyl; G¹ is methylene, ethylene, ethylidene,trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene,heptamethylene, octamethylene, vinylene, propenylene, 1-butenylene or2-butenylene; Rg is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl or butyl, or isphenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, furyl, thienyl, benzyl,1-naphthylmethyl, 2-naphthylmethyl, furylmethyl or thienylmethyl: thearomatic or heteroaromatic moiety of which optionally may bear 1 to 2substituents independently selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, methyl,ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, trifluoromethyl, nitro and amino; and Rh ishydrogen, carboxymethyl, 2-carboxyethyl or o-carboxyphenylmethyl.
 3. Acompound as claimed in claim 2 wherein Ra is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl,chloro, bromo, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, allyl, 2-carboxyvinyl,2-(methoxycarbonyl)vinyl or 2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl; and Rb whenpresent is hydrogen or methyl; or Ra and Rb together form tetramethyleneor 1,3-butadienylene optionally bearing a methyl or ethyl substituent;Rc is hydrogen, methyl, chloro or bromo; Rd and Rf are independentlyselected from hydrogen, methyl, methoxy, fluoro, chloro and bromo; Re isethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl,1-ethylpropyl, hexyl, heptyl, 1-ethylpentyl, 1,3-pentadienyl, 3-butynyl,phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 2-trifluoromethylphenyl, benzyl, 4-chlorobenzyl,4-trifluoromethylbenzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 1-phenylethyl, 2-phenylethyl,1-methyl-1-phenylethyl, thien-2-ylmethyl, 1-phenylpropyl,alpha-cyclopentylbenzyl, alpha-methoxybenzyl, benzhydryl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 1-phenylcyclopentyl, cyclopentylmethyl,cyclohexylmethyl, 2-cyclopentylethyl, 1-cyclopentylbutyl,1-cyclohexylpropyl, 1-cyclohexylbutyl,5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl, 1-cyclohexen-4-yl,tetrahydrofur-2-yl or tetrahydrofur-3-yl;Q, including the optionalsubstituents Rd and Rf, is a direct link, oxy, thio, m-phenylene,2-methoxy-1,3-phenylene, 4-methoxy-1,3-phenylene, p-phenylene,2-methoxy-1,4-phenylene, 2-methyl-1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene,2-chloro-1,4-phenylene, 2-bromo-1,4-phenylene,2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene, 2,5-furandiyl, or 4,7-benzo[b]furandiyl: inwhich Q is attached to G¹ at position 1 or 4; G¹ (when Q is optionallysubstituted phenylene, or 2,5-furandiyl or 4,7-benzo[b]furandiyl asdefined above) is methylene or ethylidene, or (when Q is oxy or thio) istrimethylene, pentamethylene, heptamethylene or 2-butenylene; or (when Qis a direct link) is ethylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene,pentamethylene, hexamethylene or heptamethylene; Rg is methyl,isopropyl, butyl, phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl,2-methylphenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-nitrophenyl,2-aminophenyl, 1-naphthyl or thien-2-yl; and Rh is hydrogen,carboxymethyl or o-carboxyphenylmethyl.
 4. A compound as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the group A CRa stands for a diradical of the formula--CRb═CRa--.
 5. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein Ra is hydrogen,chloro, acetyl, butyryl and Rb, when present, is hydrogen; Rc, Rf, andRh are hydrogen; the group Re.L stands for a group of the formulaRe.X.CO.NH-- wherein the radical Re.X.CO is selected from branched(4-10C)alkanoyl, 2-{(4-6C)cycloalkyl)}acetyl,2-{(2-5C)alkyl}-2-phenylacetyl, (4-6C)cycloalkyloxycarbonyl,(4-6C)cycloalkylthiolocarbonyl, (4-6C)cycloalkylcarbonyl and(3-6C)alkyloxycarbonyl; the assembly G¹.Q.G² (together with Rd) is2-methoxy-alpha,4-toluenediyl; Rg is phenyl optionally bearing a fluoro,chloro, methyl, nitro or amino substituent; and n is
 2. 6. A compound asclaimed in claim 5 wherein the group Re.L is located in the 6 positionof the nucleus.
 7. A compound as claimed in any one of claims 1-6wherein Z is an acylsulphonamide residue of the formula --CO.NHSO₂ Rgwherein Rg has any of the meanings defined in any one of claims 1-6. 8.A compound of the formula I claimed in claim 1 selected from:a)N-(4-[6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide;b)N-(4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]3-methoxybenzoyl)-o-toluenesulphonamide;c)2-amino-N-(4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide;d)N-(4-[3-acetyl-6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide;e)N-(4-[6-(cyclopentylcarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide;f)N-(4-[3-chloro-6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide;g)N-(4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indolin-1-ylmethyl]3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide;h)N-(4-[6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]3-methoxybenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide;i)N-(4-[3-butyryl-6-(2-cyclopentylacetamido)indol-1-ylmethyl]3-methoxybenzoyl)benezenesulphonamide;j) 4-(6-[2-cyclopentylacetamido]indol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoic acid;k) 4-(6-[cyclobutyloxycarbonyl]aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoicacid; l)4-(6-[cyclopentyloxycarbonyl]aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoicacid; m) 4-(6-[2-cyclohexylacetamido]indol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoicacid; n)4-(3-chloro-6-[cyclopentyloxycarbonyl]aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)3-methoxybenzoicacid; o)4-(3-acetyl-6-[cyclopentyloxycarbonyl]aminoindol-1-ylmethyl)3-methoxybenzoicacid; p)4-(3-chloro-6-[2-cyclopentylacetamido]indol-1-ylmethyl3-methoxybenzoicacid; q)4-(3-[2-(methoxycarbonyl)vinyl]-6-[2-ethylhexanamido]indol-1-ylmethyl)-3-methoxybenzoicacid; r)6-(butoxycarbonyl)amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indole;ands)6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)amino-1-(2-methoxy-4-[1(H)-tetrazol-5-yl]benzyl)indole;ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 9. A compound as claimed inclaim 8 which isN-(4-[6-(cyclopentyloxycarbonyl)aminoindol-1-ylmethyl]3-methoxylbenzoyl)benzenesulphonamide;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 10. A salt as claimed inany one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 which is a salt with a baseforming a physiologically acceptable cation.
 11. A compound of theformula V ##STR3## wherein Ri is (1-6C)alkyl optionally bearing anacetoxy, (1-4C)alkoxy or (1-4C)alkylthio substituent, or is phenyl orbenzyl; and wherein the groups A CRa, Rb, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, G¹, G², Q andL have the meanings defined in claim
 1. 12. A pharmaceutical compositionwhich comprises a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, as claimed in claim 1, together with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable diluent or carrier.
 13. A method for antagonising one or moreof the actions of leukotrienes in a living mammal comprisingadministering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound claimedin claim
 1. 14. A method as claimed in claim 13 for the treatment of anallergic pulmonary disorder.
 15. A method as claimed in claim 14 for thetreatment of asthma.